Picking the Right Drill

[Kdf1122]

I recently bought home and have numerous DIY projects on my list to do over the next year or two (and three, and four, etc because they never stop). I have all the essentials picked out that I know I want, except a drill. I have a budget for the drill of $150. With the holiday sales I have been weighing on what to get. I have been leaning towards Makita, but I have no bias to a manufacturer. What I am more struggling with is battery size; do I get a drill/driver with 3ah battery, or a kit with an impact driver and two 2ah batteries. Any insights would be helpful.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I bought one of the Milwaukee Fuel M18 sets last year on sale for home use (my ancient Dewalt 18v stuff was falling apart). They handle most everything I need them for at home (Woodwork, car maintainance, etc). The impact driver is a must have for home repair driving screws.

 

[Cope]

Check Lowe's and Home Depot. Lowe's had a Porter Cable drill/impact driver set on sale for $99 a few weeks ago, regular price $150. Two batteries, charger and bag included.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The "average" homeowner/DIY does NOT need a 1/2" drill. Today's 3/8" 12V drill have plenty of power. Make sure you get one that has a "hammer" function, because as a homeowner I will guarantee someday you will need it !

If someday you decide you need a 1/2" drill, get a corded, TRIPLE gear reduction drill.

THE LAST SET OF DRILL BITS YOU WILL EVER NEED TO BUY ! Also in 1/2" set.

 

[Know Wosad]

Like every other power tool made
Makita
Milwaukee
Bosch
Dewalt
Really can't go wrong with any of them. Catch the sales and Milwaukee has the ultimate warranty.
I'm a Dewalt man....this week

 

[icthruu74]

For general homeowner use I don't see a reason to have a corded drill anymore. My 1/2" corded hammer drill just sits on the shelf now except for a few uses a year when the cordless has wandered off.

I've had good luck with the Ryobi One+ set. I've had it for at least 7 years and with basic use it has held up just fine (other than the old NiCad batteries being replaced). I'd definitely recommend extra batteries, whether part of a set or buying a spare separately.

 

[Kdf1122]

Thanks all for your feedback so far. Regardless of brand, this is essentially what I am comparing: A single drill with a larger battery or A drill and impact driver with smaller batteries.

I figure as long as I stick to one of the main brands I am good. As it is for home DIY I was told just to pick a color I like best and go with it! If it helps, I'll be doing projects like building a closet, full bathroom renovation, replacing porch steps...

 

[DFB]

What I am more struggling with is battery size; do I get a drill/driver with 3ah battery, or a kit with an impact driver and two 2ah batteries. Any insights would be helpful.

Budget priced tool kits often call for certain compromises and batteries are usually where that falls.

Given those two choices I personally would go for the 2 tools/2 battery option even though only 2.0 having two means most times you should always have a fully charged battery ready to use. And impact drivers are great tools


You mention Makita there is a $25 of $100 offer available at some places

 

[Roobaix]

Milwaukee Fuel M12 or M18. Either will do you more than plenty fine and both lines have tons of other tools that would/could be useful to you.

 

[k4rl.k3rk]

Amazon has a cordless hammer drill with a 3 amp battery for $99.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01L...less+drill&dpPl=1&dpID=513kbWg7uQL&ref=plSrch

Or the combo drill driver for $149. I just bought the latter and love them. Plenty of power and batteries charge back up in around 15 min, so with 2 batteries you can tag team them as long as you need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M...9_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N3A7H0TYCYDDPBFX99ED

I also have the Bosch 12v kits, which is great. They have so much power and are so small and light that I end up reaching for the drill most often. Right now the pair is $130.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005...=bosch+12v&dpPl=1&dpID=511SKUOCFcL&ref=plSrch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

I'm a bit curious about this 2pc Makita XT273R kit on Amazon

I cant seem to find that part number anywhere else, not even on the Makita web site

The current offering most places ACME, CPO, Tool Up, HD have is the CT225R List price $199

Anybody know what the difference is?

Is it something older

 

[Cope]

Thanks all for your feedback so far. Regardless of brand, this is essentially what I am comparing: A single drill with a larger battery or A drill and impact driver with smaller batteries.

I figure as long as I stick to one of the main brands I am good. As it is for home DIY I was told just to pick a color I like best and go with it! If it helps, I'll be doing projects like building a closet, full bathroom renovation, replacing porch steps...

The two tool set for $149 looks like a good deal. Down the road you may want a third battery.

 

[Voi]

This is essentially what I am comparing: A single drill with a larger battery or A drill and impact driver with smaller batteries.

I would argue you're making the wrong comparison. Myself and at least a small handful of others have argued that if you're only going to have one tool it should be the impact driver, not the drill. There are various 1/4" hex drill chucks that will turn any 1/4" hex driver into an adequate drill.

There are also hex shanked drill bits for use in a driver.

Ideal? No. But as a guy with two drills and two drivers, I use the drivers much more often.

I would still vote for two tools but if you're leaning towards spending more on one tool I'd go with the driver.

I figure as long as I stick to one of the main brands I am good. As it is for home DIY I was told just to pick a color I like best and go with it!

I would agree with this if you think you'll only be limiting yourself to those two cordless tools. It seems like everyone makes a good cordless drill and impact driver nowadays.

It's when you start to branch off into some of the other options that one company starts to really stand out over another.

If it helps, I'll be doing projects like building a closet, full bathroom renovation, replacing porch steps...

All of these things suggest impact driver over drill to me. Again, only if you're truly leaning towards only one tool for now. But with as good as some of the kit deals are now I think you should go with a kit.

 

[skipnay]

The Milwaukee 4.0 batteries will run circles around my craftsman batteries any day. I have been bracing under our deck/porch. I have been putting in 2"x10" pieces and using 2.5" and 3" screws. I can go hours with one battery. Milwaukee for the win!!!

 

[Kdf1122]

I'm a bit curious about this 2pc Makita XT273R kit on Amazon

I cant seem to find that part number anywhere else, not even on the Makita web site

The current offering most places ACME, CPO, Tool Up, HD have is the CT225R List price $199

Anybody know what the difference is?

Is it something older

The tools are broken down on the amazon page. I believe they are older models (a year or two). The impact has about 40 fewer lbs and the drill has a reduced max rpm rate (1500 vs 1900) compared to a newer option. It literally has the same specs as the CT200RW, just in green. Either one appears fine to me.

 

[DFB]

The tools are broken down on the amazon page. I believe they are older models (a year or two). The impact has about 40 fewer lbs and the drill has a reduced max rpm rate (1500 vs 1900) compared to a newer option. It literally has the same specs as the CT200RW, just in green. Either one appears fine to me.

Ok I see now. Thanks for detailing that out for me.

 

[epg0]

I was recently in your situation and went with the M12 Fuel. I got the drill / Driver combo with an extra battery for $199 from Home Depot. It's been great so far.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[sgtmac]

I have two sets of the ridgid drill and impact driver. Lifetime warranty if you file within 30 days.

What do you intend to drill. If you were drilling out a million rivets or other stuff you may be better with an air drill.

 

[BFHtime]

I have several sets of cordless tools. I really like the Makita lithium set up, and the brushless motors, for most things. I would look for a deal that gets you a free battery or comes with 2 batteries, if you are going to get 2 tools. It is nice to grab the drill to drill and the impact screw in. I use my cordless more for automotive stuff, but also for carpentry. Ad some adapters and you can do a lot with the impact, drilling is best left to drills. I suggest a 1/2 inch chuck, because it is nice for fitting big bits. My 18 volt batteries charge very quickly. I have yet to use the tool enough that my battery died before the next battery was charged. I have been able to use the impact for a long time, before I needed to recharge it. For the budget minded Makita makes a set with battery packs that are smaller, that white in color instead of blue. Some people prefer them because they fit in tighter spaces, and are a little lighter. To me the batteries are so light the weight does not make much of a difference.

Go to Home Depot and try the tools. Feel the grip, they often have a set up with screws, to try.

 

[KnurledNut]

I think you would be satisfied with the makita drill/impact set.
Amazon warehouse deals has it for $130 by the way.
The 2.0 batteries are very impressive for their size.

 

[Citation]

Personally I've been happy with my Sears Nextec drill set. I found it at the outlet store a while back. The Nextec products are based around a smaller, 12V Li-ion battery (same size as many of the other smaller Li-ion drills). For my home use I've rarely needed more power/torque than that 12V drill can deliver. As a set the thing also came with a mouse sander, 4" circular saw, and impact driver. I never expected to use the saw or sander but both have come in handy. Heck after saying how dumb I thought the saw was I used it the day after I bought it!

I will second the "get an impact driver" comment. My set came with the impact driver and it's been great. Not only is it good for driving screws, it's actually really good at removing old screws that have been painted into place. I can't believe how well it can remove screws that I thought were stuck for life.

Anyway, the one thing it can't do is be a hammer drill. A while back I got a deal on a lower end Hitachi hammer drill (corded). Given how rarely I use a hammer drill I'm OK with the cord. Plus, most of the time I would want a hammer drill I want the unlimited power of the cord. It's also a lifetime purchase while I assume this cordless set will be out of batteries in around 10 years. The fear of future battery cost/availability is why I always try to get a deal on my cordless drills. I've got an old 12V Makita stick battery drill and a 12V Dewalt that are both running just fine... except for the batteries which would cost too much to replace.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For general homeowner use I don't see a reason to have a corded drill anymore.

I have never seen a cordless drill with TRIPLE gear reduction ! There are only a few CORDED drills that have triple gear reduction.

Trust me, triple gear reduction make a BIG difference when you need it ! (Try drilling a 1" hole through a wet, PT 4x4 with a Silver and Deming bit ! It stopped a DeWalt 1/2" dead, but not my triple gear reduction corded drill !!)