Need help deciding on a drill

[GrabNPillz]

Skil DL181901 Drill and Skil HD182001 Hammer Drill I'm replacing a 20+ year old B&D 4.5A drill. I wanted something more powerful and settled on these two because of the 7.5A motor rating and because I have other Skil tools in the red and black theme. Thought about buying the hammer variant since the prices are about the same (locally) and I wanted something more powerful and different. I read that hammer drills are only needed for concrete, but I have used my old drill for the occasional brick and holesaws through steel over the years. The old B&D drill managed, struggled and smoked but still worked after some "persuasion." Hammer drills are suppose to be heavier, but according to Skil's site these two have very little weight differences. I like that the DL181901 has the built in level. Any thoughts?

 

[The Cobbler]

hammer drills are for drilling into concrete, yes. and they make short work of it for smaller sized holes.if you ever think you'll be drilling into concrete, get the hammer drill . they are switchable between hammer & regular

Now, you're going to get a lot of folks on here telling you to go cordless.

 

[Jersey Drew]

Just think about your needs… I used the regular M 12 Milwaukee small drill for years and killed it before I switched out. I was then faced with which drill to purchase. I looked at all the various drills from Milwaukee because that’s the brand I decided on and came to the realization that I did not need the most powerful considering I had gotten everything I’ve ever needed done with an M 12. I decided to step up to the M 18 just for ease of battery use but I bought the smallest lightest one I could that still had a half inch chuck. for me the size and weight was more important than the power it had. When you’re working around the house, I need to do things in tight places and you’re holding it over your head a lot it was important for me to have a convenient form factor. All I’m saying is think about what you’re really using it for most of the time and buy appropriately.

when I bought my first impact wrench I bought the biggest baddest one Milwaukee had at the time, it sees very little use because it is overkill and too powerful for almost anything. I quickly then bought the mid torque wrench and that is the one I use most of the time now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Skil DL181901 Drill and Skil HD182001 Hammer Drill I'm replacing a 20+ year old B&D 4.5A drill. I wanted something more powerful ...

If you really want more torque find a drill that has TRIPLE gear reduction. DeWalt has one that is not much bigger than the one you are looking at.

Warning ! With triple gear reduction you can break/bend a 1/2 bit ( I have done both) or seriously damage your wrist ! Sadly, no hammer function.

 

[Davefr]

Go to Ebay and search for Milwaukee Magnum 1/2" hole shooter. (model 0234). They go for very little money used and are indestructable. (far superior to that Chinese Skil). It's probably the best 1/2" corded drill ever made.

 

[seber]

Totally agree on the used Milwuakee. Almost impossible to kill a Magnum Holeshooter. That's what I go to when I need serious power like one inch holes ten inches deep for tree stumps.

 

[GrabNPillz]

Triple gear sounds interesting. I'll check it out and the Milwaukee. Thanks.

 

[RTM]

I have a couple of used hole shooters, and they are unstoppable, commonly called wrist breakers in the 1/2” size. Use the side handle!

I also have a triple gear in my RA MKE, in case the hole shooter ever fails to do the job. The RA can slow it down further, as a bonus.

And I have lighter drills, faster drills, cordless drills, and a dedicated Bosch spline drive hammer drill for the big stuff.

 

[Walkers]

What is it that you plan on drilling? Makes a huge difference in drill choice.

 

[IndyGarage]

Personally I think every conventional "hammer" drill is awful for drilling in concrete - even my trusty milwaukee holeshooter.
Once you've used an SDS in concrete, everything else is junk.

I would think you could find used corded drills for next to nothing these days. I'd buy a milwaukee, a bosch or a makita if I wanted a good one.

 

[GrabNPillz]

What is it that you plan on drilling? Makes a huge difference in drill choice.

Brick and steel pc cases mostly. My old B&D drill would stall and smoke from time to time. Found out a friends cousin has a Milwaukee 0228 he would be willing to part with. Thinking about taking the offer.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have a corded Bosch Bulldog that I bought over 10 years ago. Probably will last me for what I need and probably work great where ever it lands after that.

 

[nadogail]

For installing anchors in concrete, I reach for the Hilte.

 

[Kscardsfan]

If I’m drilling more than 1-2 holes or if they’re much bigger than 7/16-1/2”, I’ll plug in my SDS Makita I got used off the marketplace. For one hole, I’ll flip my M18 over to hammer and take care of it. But like others have said, for any amount of drilling into concrete I want an SDS in my hands. Not a hammer drill.

 

[matt_i]

If the bit is going to touch concrete I'm going SDS. My Dad drilled umpteen holes into concrete when I was a kid finishing various basements and other projects with a "hammer drill". Life is too short to go back to that ancient slow technology.

I got a used Hilti TE5 and while its corded and its about 4 models old now, it still works very well. Look for used ones which are clean and not perma-caked in white dust.

 

[Walkers]

Brick and steel pc cases mostly. My old B&D drill would stall and smoke from time to time. Found out a friends cousin has a Milwaukee 0228 he would be willing to part with. Thinking about taking the offer.

That drill would do just about anything you want in brick or steel, just not concrete.

 

[Rinspeed]

Go to Ebay and search for Milwaukee Magnum 1/2" hole shooter. (model 0234). They go for very little money used and are indestructable. (far superior to that Chinese Skil). It's probably the best 1/2" corded drill ever made.

Great post.

 

[GrabNPillz]

Got the 0228. The chuck is lightly rusted and it needs a new cord. The ground pin is missing and the insulation is cracking in several places, but runs great otherwise. No sparks or burning smells!

 

[Xcursion88]

I'm not going to start a ******* contest over Makita/Milwaukee/ Dewalt but honestly the cordless world has become the norm now and the offerings are incredibly vast.

Pick a brand...get a couple batteries and never look back.
Drills,drivers,saws, you name it...cordless is now the way of the tool world.

 

[Rinspeed]

Drills,drivers,saws, you name it...cordless is now the way of the tool world.

Cordless tools have always been disposable, I have corded drills older than you are that work just fine. The main problem is people have gotten a whole lot lazier over the years.

 

[Iron Beaver]

Cordless tools have always been disposable, I have corded drills older than you are that work just fine. The main problem is people have gotten a whole lot lazier over the years.

Actually, I think it's more like contractors realized the extra time spent dealing with cords cost more than replacing a cordless tool every few years.

 

[gnpenning]

I use cordless mostly on the job daily. For some things I prefer a corded or air tool at the home shop. Very job specific.

Not a one size fits all for me. Use what works best for you.

 

[Xcursion88]

Cordless tools have always been disposable, I have corded drills older than you are that work just fine. The main problem is people have gotten a whole lot lazier over the years.

In business time is money.
If that hurts your feelings i don't know what to say....

Corded is dead and it's got nothing to do with laziness.
Christ it takes more effort to pull a battery, get to the charger, put battery in...charge..than mess with a drag cord.

Cordless allows usage anywhere. It's less cluttered and just simply quicker from job start to job done.

As far as durability...
The cordless world is technologically driven. A battery changeover happens far sooner than tools wearing out.
The other thing is competition.
Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt all competing for the next consumer dollar makes the end user the winner. They push each other with technology and offerings.
Who wins? We do.