The best 3/8" cordless Drill for under $150 ?

[Wolverine]

I want to buy a 3/8" cordless drill for my dad for christmas. I want to keep the price at $150 or less. Some key points I'm looking for:

- Light weight. 12v to 14.4v My Dad is 70 and just likes to putter around the house. The lighter the better, however if a 14.4v is that much better, I'll roll with it.

- Is there much difference in power/charge life between 12v & 14.4v????

- A model that feels really good in the hand.

- Well built. Hey, it's my Dad

- However, it DOES NOT have to be a "top of the line" drill. He is NOT doing construction.


I'm looking for great VALUE for my Dad's hobbies.



I saw this. What do you think?????

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/BOS-32612.html

 

[Wolverine]

I saw this too:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/BOS-32614-2G.html


Yup, it's already OUT OF my price range, but is it THAT MUCH better????

 

[Wolverine]

And this:


http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAK-6217DWDE.html

 

[eschoendorff]

Aw poop... you beat me to it! I just bought a set of cordless stuff... but if I was just looking for a lightweight cordless drill, i would SERIOUSLY consider Bosch. 'I've heard lots of good things about them. You might check out this one:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=3451-353-32614-2G&lpage=none

 

[wilbilt]

You probably can't go wrong with a Makita.

I recently bought a 14.4V Milwaukee kit for $98 at Home Depot. It came with 2 batteries, fast charger, flashlight, and a nice case. Bonus: the drill has a 1/2" chuck.

I am very happy with it. Model 0612-26

 

[ranger_dood]

I'm going to say it again... the Ryobi kits are nice... and cheap.

 

[MyDomain]

I really like my craftsman sets...made by Ryobi in most cases. I have one that is really getting up in age...just had the battery rebuilt but it is still going strong. I believe them to be the best bang for the buck.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'm going to say it again... the Ryobi kits are nice... and cheap.

I have one and it has held up... better than expected. It just feels cheap. But the batteries are cheap and easily obtainable too...

 

[russlaferrera]

You may want to consider a refurbished tool from Toolking on the internet. I have a 1/2 in Makita 18 v , w 2 batteries for about $150 . You get the same warranty as new. I have been using it for over 1 year and has performed great...russ

 

[eschoendorff]

You may want to consider a refurbished tool from Toolking on the internet. I have a 1/2 in Makita 18 v , w 2 batteries for about $150 . You get the same warrantee as new. I have been using it for over 1 year and has performed great...russ

Or go to a pawnshop. You can always find a secent selection of DeWalt and Milwaukee at pawnshops. Around here, though, they price them as if they were new.

 

[brianpgriset]

That Bosch you listed was Consumer Reports' best pick of the 14.4V drill/drivers. According to them it weighed in at 4.3lbs which is pretty light too.

The Ridgid R82001 was the highest rated drill by CR that met all your criterion (price, voltage, etc.). The reviewers said it had good handling but the run-time was alittle low. On the posotive side it took about 20 minutes for a charge.

Of course, just because some magazine says its good doesn't mean it is, but usually the CR people make good recommendations.

Personally I got an old Makita hand-me-down 14.4V from my dad that was 4 years old when he gave it too me. It ran another 3 years but finally the ol' NiCd batteries died. It was a pretty nice drill though, good balance and power.

I'd say since it's not getting used all the time go with a nice Ridgid or Makita below your target price.

PS - the highest rated Makita was the Makita 6280DWPE, weighs a very light 3.5 lbs and had a 1 year warranty. The Ridgid I mentioned had a 3 year warranty.

 

[Moltar]

I use this one everyday working on Nissans.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=53876-67702-DS12DVF3
It's light, cheap, powerful for its size and has never let me down ever since I bought it a year ago. Not one single problem. The kit that I bought came with 2 batteries and a flashlight.

 

[iiibdsiil]

The Ridgid stuff has a lifetime warranty, so when the batteries go bad, you don't have to throw the drill away.

 

[l_bilyk]

I dont think you can far go wrong with bosch or milwaukee. Makita just came out with a 14.4 in their LXT line... also worth looking at

As for the ridgid, i just bought the 18v non-X2 driver and I like it... it was on sale, i didnt need another hammer drill, and it was lighter than the X2 so I figured, why the hell not. When I got home i was pleasantly surprised. On the downside, it is a bit heavy, and the batteries are low capacity. So they charge and drain fast.. and I suppose thats how they can afford to replace them under warrany for you
It seems about as powerful as my milwaukee, and that retails for about $150 more. Then again that one hammers and is made in germany (at least mine was.. the new ones are made in china too now)

Anyways, here's a review of the 12V

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/rigidr82001rvu.html

I would also consider Ryobi. They are made by the same guys that make ridgid, and now milwaukee too.

www.ttigroup.com/

The robi stuff is really not that bad... cheap but not bad... but be warned they don't have much to chose from in the 12-14.4V range... I would buy 18V stuff if i were buying ryobi

 

[VvvJRvvV]

I bought my Dad a kit for his camper a few years back. It was the Ryobi, bought it at Lowes, seems to me it was right around $150. It came with drill/driver, sawzall and flashlight. Nice kit for what he does with it.

 

[Wolverine]

Thanks everyone. Some really good information here.

This Makita drill looks very good at 3.5 lbs. and 3.0 ah battery. However, I can't find it anywhere on the net for retail??????????????

Anybody?????

Makita LXT BDF440

Anyone know the relative price and where I can find it????

 

[l_bilyk]

Yeah that's the one I was thinking of. Canadian tire was selling a kit with that drill and the impact driver for about $400 - $50 mail in rebate. Havent seen them seperate anywhere yet, but I'm assuming the impact driver will cost about 200 and the drill maybe around 180 or so. I didn't check where they were made, but i knw the 18v are made in japan. I would assume these are japanese too

 

[TNToy]

The 12V Makita is a little weak. The 14.4V is much better. I own a 12v and use it fairly often... but a larger battery would be MUCH appreciated. The 14.4 milwaukee I have at home as a LOT more power.

The Bosh 14.4 would be the first one I'd buy. I really like bosch's tools.

Get a Ridgid, Bosch, or Milwaukee or makita and he'll be happy.

 

[boiler7904]

I saw this too:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/BOS-32614-2G.html


Yup, it's already OUT OF my price range, but is it THAT MUCH better????

I've had that drill since June 2004 (before they came out with Blue Core batteries - supposed to keep cells cooler which makes them perform better). No complaints at all. Good power. Good battery life. Comfortable to use - although it feels kinda heavy once you use all day. 3 year warranty if you send in the little post card - 1 year if you don't. In short, I'd buy it again if I was in the market for another drill.

By the way, it isn't out of your price range if you know where to shop. Couple of links to buy it cheaper:

Heavy Duty Tools - This guy has great service and is my first choice to buy from if he has what I need/want.

When in doubt, try Amazon

$130 if willing to gamble on Factory Reconditioned at CPO Bosch Tools

The main advantage of 14.4 over 12 volt is that there are other tools available to run off the same batteries. Choices get really limited to drill, impact driver (have it and love it) and flashlight. For limited use be an older person, 12 volt might be more than enough.

Since you're giving it as a gift, you might want to buy local so that you can return it if it is too heavy or doesn't feel right and you don't have to hassle with shipping if something is wrong with it. Something like a tool, I'd consider taking them to the store and having him pick out exactly what he wants (within reason of course). Good luck.

 

[l_bilyk]

I have heard good things about heavy duty tools. But the guy doesn't ship to canada eh

 

[Piper]

I don't know about in the USA, although I'd assume it's the same as in Canada, if you buy Rigid cordless tools from Home Depot, when the battery is toast Rigid will REPLACE it FOR FREE!!


Yes, this is true. I just went out to confirm yesterday. I too am in the market for a new 14v and this is the case. I called Dewalt to see if there was any reciprocity on their part but no. So, it's certain that the battery at some point won't hold a charge. Free battery, hmmmm that's the best feature.

Anyone not considering this has just too much money for tools.

Piper

 

[l_bilyk]

Yeah buy you have to pay for shipping

 

[eschoendorff]

Yeah buy you have to pay for shipping

So be it. I just got the 24v Li-Ion set from Ridgid. Can't complain....

 

[l_bilyk]

So be it. I just got the 24v Li-Ion set from Ridgid. Can't complain....

But the darn lithium ion batteries take a long time to kill, even with daily use

How do you like the kit? I wasn't a big fan of ridgid until I bought this 18v driver, 2 batteries, and bag for 100 bux.. i wish they made a radio

 

[eschoendorff]

But the darn lithium ion batteries take a long time to kill, even with daily use

How do you like the kit? I wasn't a big fan of ridgid until I bought this 18v driver, 2 batteries, and bag for 100 bux.. i wish they made a radio

So far, I'm very impressed. Especially for what I paid for it. See this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6666

 

[l_bilyk]

Wow U ****!

 

[stupidjet]

has anyone had batteries replaced for ridgid?? people online always talk about the replacement plan, but no one has ever done it....

 

[Wolverine]

Well, I went to HD and Lowes to check out some of these newer models in person. I wanted to 'get my hands on' a few of them.

Although out of my price range, I was BLOWN AWAY at how light the Makita LXT model was. It was the 1/2" LXT (Black & White (not the green & black hammer drill 1/2" on display with the handle)) model at HD that retailed for $199. I forgot the model number.

It weighs in at 3.5 lbs. Unbelievable! Not only was it lighter that all of the 14.4v models, it was lighter than ALL of the 12v models that I picked up. Yup, 18v, 3.0 ah at 3.5 lbs. FEATHER-LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Very impressed!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brianpgriset]

Well, I went to HD and Lowes to check out some of these newer models in person. I wanted to 'get my hands on' a few of them.

Although out of my price range, I was BLOWN AWAY at how light the Makita LXT model was. It was the 1/2" LXT (Black & White (not the green & black hammer drill 1/2" on display with the handle)) model at HD that retailed for $199. I forgot the model number.

It weighs in at 3.5 lbs. Unbelievable! Not only was it lighter that all of the 14.4v models, it was lighter than ALL of the 12v models that I picked up. Yup, 18v, 3.0 ah at 3.5 lbs. FEATHER-LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Very impressed!!!!!!!!!!

Funny you mention that, I had almost the exact same experience about 3 weeks ago at a HD. Another thing that amazed me was the size of the battery. It seemed about 2/3 the size of any other battery on any other drill. Very low weight, very portable.