I used my 1970's Black & Decker 3/8" orange electric pistol grip drill on a drill and tap job this morning I bought it when I was a kid with S&H Green Stamps. I went through it a few years ago but never found a use for it. Today I decided to use it "Just Because". It worked great ! I had the smell of electricity in the air!!! Between cordless and air, I can't remember the last time I used electric. I put an old friend back to work and will use electric again more in the future.
I used an old electric B & D drill
- Thread starter johninct
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bobcatdan
Well-known member
I have always hated electric corded drills. Air or cordless for me. Only corded drill I use is my hammer drill and that is about every three years if I'm lucky.
I picked up a 1/2" Wen at an auction a couple weeks back for $2. Already put 1/2 hour on it last weekend.
Sidenote: Wen has got to be the most ignored brand on the internet. A search here turns up 1/2 dozen discussions about their drill press and nothing else. They have no wiki or anything. A pretty poor ending for the brand that made its name with the 909 all saw and a line of polishers 70 years ago.
Sidenote: Wen has got to be the most ignored brand on the internet. A search here turns up 1/2 dozen discussions about their drill press and nothing else. They have no wiki or anything. A pretty poor ending for the brand that made its name with the 909 all saw and a line of polishers 70 years ago.
I went back to corded drills about 10 years ago for work. Had an old Skil drill and had a new trigger and a 12' power cord installed on it. Plug it into an A/C disconnect box with a widow maker and ran all day without worries of a battery going dead and had enough reach to move all around the install.
Just now trying out cordless drills again.
Just now trying out cordless drills again.
Packard V8
Well-known member
A friend has a small manufacturing firm. One assembly bench area had been using corded drills and screwdrivers for forty years with few replacements or problems. In recent years, his workers began whining about wanting battery powered tools. Finally, he gave in and bought new Milwaukee. His costs went up dramatically and the loss/shrinkage became a real factor. No one stole the corded tools, but the battery-powered had to be signed in and out to each worker and even that didn't solve the problem. They began stealing the other guys tools and chargers.
Now, he's pricing a specialty tool line which uses proprietary tool/battery units and chargers bolted to the bench. Theory being the tools are not able to be used away from the bench.
jack vines
Now, he's pricing a specialty tool line which uses proprietary tool/battery units and chargers bolted to the bench. Theory being the tools are not able to be used away from the bench.
jack vines
jtbinvalrico
Well-known member
I’m with the OP, sometimes it’s nice to use an older tool or piece of equipment. Theres something satisfying about interacting with gears, mechanisms, meters, knobs, and warm lights. Now, if I’m working on something that needs to done ASAP, I’ll grab a cordless tool and enjoy the speed of a keyless chuck along with the convenience of my AirPod Pros and Amazon Music....But if I’ve got some time and I’m not in a rush, I truly enjoy an old metal-cased drill from the 50’s, or dropping the needle on a vinyl LP, or the satisfying weight of the tuner wheel on my old Marantz receiver with those warm blue lights.
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brianh
Well-known member
At my carving workstation I have a rack of corded tools, drills and die grinders never a dead battery interrupting my workflow.
Cordless are great when power is not around and just mobility around the shop. Still have my old first, the Makita 9.6 long battery drill I was so happy to get that back in 88 the batteries are long shot.
Cordless are great when power is not around and just mobility around the shop. Still have my old first, the Makita 9.6 long battery drill I was so happy to get that back in 88 the batteries are long shot.
I have no issues with corded tools, in fact they're my preference when doing a bigger project. My 1973 1/2" B&D has the grunt and control I like. My Dad's B&D from the late 1950's is a tank and will rip your arm off if you're not ready to rock and roll.
metaldad
Well-known member
The B&D in the picture looks very similar to my Dad's Drill motor from the late 1950's. The nameplate appears to be identical. The B&D MFG. Co. name hasn't been used since 1985. Real tools.
I have two corded Milwaukee hole shooters I keep for "just in case" purposes. These two drills are some of the last made in the USA drills that Milwaukee made. I have not used either one of them in many years until about 2 weeks ago, the trigger in my Milwaukee Fuel cordless drill suddenly stopped working.... One of my spare corded drills saved the day. 
macgee
Well-known member
Now your really dating yourself. I remember S&H catalogs but I was too young to be able to buy anything. Do you also still use your cassette boom box?
logical
Well-known member
The majority of my power tools are corded because I bought high quality tools back in the days before the development of what's available today in cordless. They work fine. I'm used to them. I couldn't afford to replace them even if I wanted to. Guys my age get that.
I have not used the cassette part in a while but do use the radio all of the time. I still have many cassettes..
This came with a box lot of NOS Craftsman stuff I bought years ago. Finally got around to selling it a few weeks ago. I have a functioning older one and didn't need another.
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Physically my 1973 B&D looks the same although is Gray and has the threaded boss on left hand side w/ black handle attachment for extra support when drilling. Mine is a Variable speed 1/2 capacity. Wish I knew you had this, I would have been interested.
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justanengineer
Well-known member
I have quite a few corded Milwaukee tools that I use regularly. My favorite is my completely aluminum 1968 Sawzall that I paid $2 for a few years ago. With a big box of rebuild parts from Milwaukee, I’m ~$22 into it now.
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
oooh orange!
Packard V8
Well-known member
I use corded tools older than that most days. Why wouldn't one use it as designed?
jack vines, who at seventy-five is barely older than some of his tools
driftpin
Well-known member
Hah, I just sold a marantz 2240b w/the flywheel tuning, $400 to a cop, who gave me all-sorts of reasons why he wasn't gonna buy it, and then forked over 4 crisp Ben Franklins. I've had it for probably 35 years, I bought it from a co-worker who was getting divorced, for not much $. I used it for a bit, and then put it in storage. Next to go are some Dual turntables, and a couple of harmon kardon quad receivers. I have a good-amount of LP's, mostly rock, R&B, jazz, and one "Sounds of Sebring," which I used to play when I was using my slot car set, back in the early-mid 1960's. A bit of castor oil onto a hot plate, drop the stylus and let's race! It was just like Watkins Glen F1 when Surtees and Clark were World Champions.
Wen I never had much desire for, I'd rather have a Skil 3/8" or 1/2" VSR w/a keyed chuck corded tool, or a corded Skilsaw. Wen was for me more-of a discount department store tool, than something I'd see on the job while I worked construction in south Florida during the building boom in the early 1970's.
I was trying to think of what I got with S&H Green Stamps, I think I got a clock radio once, I don't recall them having much in the way of tools that I'd want.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I've been using the same Milwaukee drill for 40 years now - it still works just fine, so there's no reason to replace it.
BeezaPilot
Member
While I love them cordless devils for small jobs away from the shop, when the need is there to bore big stuff- nothing like corded tools. I pick the old aluminum tools up when ever I see them for a buck or two. Easy to rebuild, a buddy is maintenance at a hospital and he saves me cords from old equipment (yeah, if you've never seen "Hospital Grade" cords they are awesome), lots of torque! I've a half inch drill from the '20's, that will take you for an interesting ride should it bind in the material that you are drilling. Interesting wall art at the very least.
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Larryjones
Well-known member
I had one of those orange BDs. Detachable cord could be a pita, and the speed control button got lost but it was a good tool.
I got one of those b&d drills for Christmas one year but its green. I also have a light blue one that came from a box from one of my grandparents that I usually use with a stripping wheel.
Most of my power tools are hand me down corded ones and I mainly stuck that way because most of the ones I bought myself were from the time when battery tools sucked.
Most of my power tools are hand me down corded ones and I mainly stuck that way because most of the ones I bought myself were from the time when battery tools sucked.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
B&D had different levels of power tools. Homeowner's, commercial and industrial. Although the homeowner level was made for the "weekender", they were well built. I had a 1970s corded drill and circular saw. I put them through hell on jobs. Always held up.
Regarding corded portable power tools: IMO: I prefer them over cordless, except for field work. I love the torque that my 45+ year old Milwaukee Hole Shooter gives compared to my 5 year old Dewalt.
I'm sure that cordless power tools have improved over the last few years, but I don't want to invest in them, when old corded tools are fine.
Regarding corded portable power tools: IMO: I prefer them over cordless, except for field work. I love the torque that my 45+ year old Milwaukee Hole Shooter gives compared to my 5 year old Dewalt.
I'm sure that cordless power tools have improved over the last few years, but I don't want to invest in them, when old corded tools are fine.
My oldest corded drill is a B&D 3/8", bought it used for $10 just over 60 years ago - even today, if you're half asleep when you pull the trigger you shouldn't pull the trigger 
Also - the power cord is ORIGINAL, and is STILL in better shape than the brand new **** you get today -
I agree that the choice between cord/cordless depends on several things, one being "whattay got??!?" - for me, if the job isn't moveable and it's further from power than 100' of #12 cord, the tool and a handful of batteries goes in a tote in the back of the golf cart - OTOH, I only own ONE battery side grinder, but have over a DOZEN corded ones - when I'm fabbing something it's nearly ALWAYS somewhere near one of my weld tables, which are ALWAYS near 120 and 240 volt supplies. I have an old hand truck I added a rack AND a power strip to, rack holds up to 6 grinders at a time (all plugged in) - lets me keep slicer disk, grinding disk, cup brush, knotted brush, 6" brush and a flap disk available in a couple SECONDS and NO battery swapping.
Nearly ALL my battery stuff (except batteries) is about 12 years old (the result of insurance payout for a $6k shop "visit") - they're a mix of DeWalt and Milwaukee, not sure what I'd replace 'em with if another "visit" happened, considering EVERY brand seems to be made by the lowest bidder these days; doubt it'll be a prob tho, last time happened just after both Dobermans and the Akita died within 2-3 months of each other - we will NEVER AGAIN be without at least two dogs in THIS lifetime... Steve
Also - the power cord is ORIGINAL, and is STILL in better shape than the brand new **** you get today - I agree that the choice between cord/cordless depends on several things, one being "whattay got??!?" - for me, if the job isn't moveable and it's further from power than 100' of #12 cord, the tool and a handful of batteries goes in a tote in the back of the golf cart - OTOH, I only own ONE battery side grinder, but have over a DOZEN corded ones - when I'm fabbing something it's nearly ALWAYS somewhere near one of my weld tables, which are ALWAYS near 120 and 240 volt supplies. I have an old hand truck I added a rack AND a power strip to, rack holds up to 6 grinders at a time (all plugged in) - lets me keep slicer disk, grinding disk, cup brush, knotted brush, 6" brush and a flap disk available in a couple SECONDS and NO battery swapping.
Nearly ALL my battery stuff (except batteries) is about 12 years old (the result of insurance payout for a $6k shop "visit") - they're a mix of DeWalt and Milwaukee, not sure what I'd replace 'em with if another "visit" happened, considering EVERY brand seems to be made by the lowest bidder these days; doubt it'll be a prob tho, last time happened just after both Dobermans and the Akita died within 2-3 months of each other - we will NEVER AGAIN be without at least two dogs in THIS lifetime... Steve
tez929rr
Well-known member
That’s actually a disturbing story.
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,598
Yep. I can leave corded drills or circular saws in the back of my truck in the middle of Tweakerville and they never grow legs.
The ancient HF Chicago cordless drill, the orange one from the 90s was gone in sixty seconds. (And it didn't work)
The ancient HF Chicago cordless drill, the orange one from the 90s was gone in sixty seconds. (And it didn't work)
Badgerstate
Well-known member
I love corded electric drills. Even modern brushless cordless drills cant hold a candle to a corded drill.
metaldad
Well-known member
Lets see a pic of the cart, please, steveMy oldest corded drill is a B&D 3/8", bought it used for $10 just over 60 years ago - even today, if you're half asleep when you pull the trigger you shouldn't pull the trigger
I agree that the choice between cord/cordless depends on several things, one being "whattay got??!?" - for me, if the job isn't moveable and it's further from power than 100' of #12 cord, the tool and a handful of batteries goes in a tote in the back of the golf cart - OTOH, I only own ONE battery side grinder, but have over a DOZEN corded ones - when I'm fabbing something it's nearly ALWAYS somewhere near one of my weld tables, which are ALWAYS near 120 and 240 volt supplies. I have an old hand truck I added a rack AND a power strip to, rack holds up to 6 grinders at a time (all plugged in) - lets me keep slicer disk, grinding disk, cup brush, knotted brush, 6" brush and a flap disk available in a couple SECONDS and NO battery swapping.
Nearly ALL my battery stuff (except batteries) is about 12 years old (the result of insurance payout for a $6k shop "visit") - they're a mix of DeWalt and Milwaukee, not sure what I'd replace 'em with if another "visit" happened, considering EVERY brand seems to be made by the lowest bidder these days; doubt it'll be a prob tho, last time happened just after both Dobermans and the Akita died within 2-3 months of each other - we will NEVER AGAIN be without at least two dogs in THIS lifetime... Steve
Sorry MD, I usually add a link; go here, + there's a few pages either side of this one
Cart 4 mm211
Enjoy; I still do, every time I use/move it :=) ... Steve
Oh, there's another choice on GJ, last couple pages of "show your welding projects" in fabrication forum - go here
www.garagejournal.com
Cart 4 mm211
Enjoy; I still do, every time I use/move it :=) ... Steve
Oh, there's another choice on GJ, last couple pages of "show your welding projects" in fabrication forum - go here
Show us your welding projects
That deserves an award.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
www.garagejournal.com
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Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Here is a pic of mine. My Dad gave it to me as a Xmas present in the later 70s. I abused the hell out of it fo awhile but minor use in the last 30 years or so. It was hiding in a shed at the lake that I had to clean out. Had to didn’t want to. 
Sounds pretty rough when it runs. But probably has a few screws/holes left in it.
Sounds pretty rough when it runs. But probably has a few screws/holes left in it.
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Marantz...my garage rocks a 2220B with outboard bluetooth and Echo dot. Got one blue fuse lamp working, stereo light works, but tuning needle dark. Found a guy on eBay that sells the fuse bulbs, tuner needle in LED....I grabbed em, but waiting until the last warm blue incondesent dies.
Oh and same Black and Decker corded....put a new Jacobs chuck on it some years ago...have not touched it since...
Oh and same Black and Decker corded....put a new Jacobs chuck on it some years ago...have not touched it since...
4xdog
Well-known member
I found the box to my Marantz 2250 (from 1975) in my parent's attic, but I can't find the receiver. I may have given it to my EE brother to have capacitors replaced fifteen years ago, and it seems to have gotten lost when I lost him and settled his estate. Pity -- I liked that unit a lot.
My Black & Decker Holgun 1/2" Extra Heavy Duty variable speed reversing drill, bought new circa 1982, still gets used regularly. It's a tough one.
My Black & Decker Holgun 1/2" Extra Heavy Duty variable speed reversing drill, bought new circa 1982, still gets used regularly. It's a tough one.
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I have a cordless drill and impact driver set I bought a few years back and use them often. For a small hand drill that gets used a lot battery is the way to go. That said, I still have a corded 3/8" drill that I use often and all the rest of my power tools are corded and I have more than my share. My deciding line between corded or battery in how much use they will get. A smaller hand drill gets used often, at least for me. Same with the the impact driver.
I just bought a small palm sized router. I used the heck out of it last winter hanging doors, but it might end up sitting on the shelf in the garage for a couple years before I use it again. It doesn't make sense to me to buy a battery tool in that case.
I just bought a small palm sized router. I used the heck out of it last winter hanging doors, but it might end up sitting on the shelf in the garage for a couple years before I use it again. It doesn't make sense to me to buy a battery tool in that case.
I have a B&D industrial 3/8" from the 90's and it has been an amazing tool. I have literally had smoke rolling out of it three or four times from machine tapping hundreds of holes at a time. Let it cool down and it comes right back for more.