huskertko Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 I am needing to get a new cordless drill, but I am not sure what I should look for as far as volts, etc. I have an old Mikita that no longer holds a charge so that is why I need a new one. It will be used for small projects around the house, installing decking for a new deck and so forth. Can anyone offer some advice on what I should look for. I am trying to keep the price under $150. Quote
skillet Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 AT LAST ;D, a post I don't feel like I have to start out with IMHO! I have done a lot of cabinet work and have owned or used probably all of them. As Tim (The Toolman) Taylor says "bigger is always better!". The folks that make battery driven tools have you between the Devil and the deep blue sea on 2 counts. First the batteries go bad whether you use the tool or not (last longer if used regularly). Second the durned batteries are so expensive to replace you might as well go buy another drill! I would think you could get an 18 volt from any of the home improvement stores for that price. Drill, 2 batteries, charger and case. Go take a look at them and see which one feels better in your hand... As Ever, Skillet Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 I have an 18v DeWalt. LOVE it!! It replaced a 12v Ryobi,....power is everything, especially if you plan on doing decking. IMHO,....gotchya skillet,lol Quote
Cephkiller Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 Look for amp/hours on the battery and torque from the motor. In both cases, more is better. Buy the best you can afford and handle comfortably. Quote
ejtaylor822 Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 Now, let me preface by saying I am not a contractor or pro. Just like working with my hands and tools. With that said..... I love Dewalt! I love my Dewalt 18V XRP. Just finishing up a project for little girl's swing set building retaining walls for the mulch (pics coming later). Used my 18V XRP to drive 1/2" lag bolts through 4x6 treated posts - performed like a champ. Used 2x6's for strapping the timbers together then drilled holes for 1/2" carriage bolts and nuts. On a fresh battery I think the drill would have pulled the carriage bolt through the timbers. I love that drill. Most people will tell you all you need is a 14V for around the house project work. However, I like having that extra torque when needed (see above ). Be warned though, setting the clutch to full/no-slip, it will wring your arm/wrist/hand off if you do not have a tight grip. Its caught me a few times. Afriad it might be tough to kepp under $150 though. Especially with a couple of batteries. I have bought several reconditioned Dewalt items off of ebay - grinder, biscuit joiner and trim saw at a very substantial savings. Look for the factory authorized resellers with high ratings that provide the items with a factory warranty. Here's a good one I just found.... http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWalt-Tools-18-Volt-Cordless-Drill-Driver-Combo-18v_W0QQitemZ130106456621QQihZ003QQcategoryZ42272QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem This same unit is $200 at Lowe's. Just a thought - If you are going to be doing some deck work may want to look at a hammer/impact drill/driver. That's next on my list for an upcoming project. Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 Be warned though, setting the clutch to full/no-slip, it will wring your arm/wrist/hand off if you do not have a tight grip. Its caught me a few times. So it's not just me,lol....thought I needed to start working out again : Quote
huskertko Posted May 6, 2007 Author Posted May 6, 2007 Wow thanks for all the input. I was just at lowes and saw a Black and Decker kit, it was 18 volt, includes a drill, recpricating saw, circular saw, light, 2 batteries and an accessory kit. Now normally I wouldn't buy many things in a kit since you usually get a bunch of stuff you don't need or won't use, however this one includes several items that would get used, the only question is the light. I know DeWalt is toward the G Loomis end of tools but for what I am needing it for, would the B & D brand be sufficient? I didn't mention that the price for the kit was $149.99, so it falls in my price range. Quote
Cephkiller Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 I'm pretty sure my Dad has the same kit branded as Craftsman. I have used it and it seems pretty good for an occasional user. I would say that the 18v Craftsman/B&D falls in the performance range somewhere between 12v and 14v premium brands. I say this because I have a Porter Cable 14.4v and a Dewalt 12v. In other words, you are putting up with the extra weight inherent in the 18v battery pack to achieve nearly the same performance as the lower powered Dewalt, Makita, PC, Milwaukee, etc. Quote
ejtaylor822 Posted May 6, 2007 Posted May 6, 2007 Be warned though, setting the clutch to full/no-slip, it will wring your arm/wrist/hand off if you do not have a tight grip. Its caught me a few times. So it's not just me,lol....thought I needed to start working out again : No, LBH, it's not you. I am no Charles Atlas, nor a Pee Wee Herman - 6'-2" @ 320lbs - with no slip its got the torque to twist me up really good if not paying attention. I always try to have both hands on it if possible. First time I ever used one was when we were building our house (3yrs ago) and I used our contractor's to zap some holes in the bands to run the cable/video feed through. Did not feel like hooking up my corded drill, so he handed me his Dewalt 18v cordless. Not wanting to be insulting, I sheepishly asked - "You sure this will go through two 2x12's?" (with a 1-1/2" hole saw/bit). His reply - "just hold on tight". Crawled under the house, started drilling. When it hit the second 2x12, kicked around and threw my knuckles into the sub-floor above (stupid hurts). After the pain subsided, got a good firm grip with both hands and she went right on through. Got mine a few weeks later..... Skilllet is spot on about the batteries. My original battery doesn't hold a charge like it use too. The ebay link is a good example on the $$$. You can buy drill, case, charger and two batteries for $139; (2) new 18v XRP will run you around $100. Eddie Quote
huskertko Posted May 6, 2007 Author Posted May 6, 2007 I'm pretty sure my Dad has the same kit branded as Craftsman. I have used it and it seems pretty good for an occasional user..... Thanks, that is exactly what I am, an occasional user. Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted May 7, 2007 Super User Posted May 7, 2007 Courtesy of my wife as a Birthday present, I've got a Makita hammer drill. It will drive a screw through a 4X4 like it was butter and will not try to throw you into the next county if it hangs up. It will simply hammer away. The really nice thing about it is that it is half the size of comparable cordless drivers. But it ain't cheap. Quote
skillet Posted May 7, 2007 Posted May 7, 2007 I didn't know prices jumped that much from a 14 volt to an 18 volt, haven't shopped for one in a while. Actually came back on after thinking over what I said earlier about an 18. Most of the time, I can drive a 3" screw thru the back of a cabinet into a stud and set the screw with a 14 volt. Pay close attention to the first phrase in that sentence "Most of the time"and I have been doing it longer than I care to admit. Lots and lots of experience! I will be the first to admit that I'm by tools the way Raul is by fishing equiptment ;D If the tool was just going to be used for household type things, I would say definitely a 14 volt or smaller. Useing it for a deck, think hard about an 18. I remember your post about taking on the job as Mr. Mom. If it's not in the budget, it's not in the budget. Been there, done that and bought the t-shirt (really) As Ever, Skillet Quote
huskertko Posted May 7, 2007 Author Posted May 7, 2007 I didn't know prices jumped that much from a 14 volt to an 18 volt, haven't shopped for one in a while. Actually came back on after thinking over what I said earlier about an 18. Most of the time, I can drive a 3" screw thru the back of a cabinet into a stud and set the screw with a 14 volt. Pay close attention to the first phrase in that sentence "Most of the time"and I have been doing it longer than I care to admit. Lots and lots of experience! I will be the first to admit that I'm by tools the way Raul is by fishing equiptment ;D If the tool was just going to be used for household type things, I would say definitely a 14 volt or smaller. Useing it for a deck, think hard about an 18. I remember your post about taking on the job as Mr. Mom. If it's not in the budget, it's not in the budget. Been there, done that and bought the t-shirt (really) As Ever, Skillet Thanks Skillet, The reason that it may be in the budget is because I am supposed to get one last commission check, an unexpected surprise. So with that check, albeit small, I am looking to make this purchase. I really need to put some bench seats around my deck to make hospitable. Quote
Guest the_muddy_man Posted May 7, 2007 Posted May 7, 2007 I'm pretty sure my Dad has the same kit branded as Craftsman. I have used it and it seems pretty good for an occasional user..... Thanks, that is exactly what I am, an occasional user. I have a hand tool also but I have to confess I am more than a ocassional user Quote
skillet Posted May 7, 2007 Posted May 7, 2007 Muddy, My Daddy allways told me I'd go blind, and I'll be durned if I didn't have to start wearing glasses As Ever Skillet Quote
Super User fourbizz Posted May 7, 2007 Super User Posted May 7, 2007 If you can afford it, something utilizing a litium ion battery is the way to go. They are much lighter and last longer. The 28v Milwaukee stuff is AWESOME!! (Im a carpenter, I use this stuff everyday) Quote
llPa1nll Posted May 8, 2007 Posted May 8, 2007 I am needing to get a new cordless drill, but I am not sure what I should look for as far as volts, etc. I have an old Mikita that no longer holds a charge so that is why I need a new one. It will be used for small projects around the house, installing decking for a new deck and so forth. Can anyone offer some advice on what I should look for. I am trying to keep the price under $150. When it comes to decking Id go with a non cordless drill/driver unit I have a Milwaukee works great Id also suggest getting the torx type screws over the Phillips. but for regular house hold projects you'd be fine with an 18v model. Quote
Super User fourbizz Posted May 8, 2007 Super User Posted May 8, 2007 If you are only gonna do decking, just buy or rent a QuickDrive, about ten times faster than a normal screw gun. Quote
huskertko Posted May 8, 2007 Author Posted May 8, 2007 I should clarify, I am not building a new deck, just replacing some boards and hand rails. I also need a drill for around the house projects. Quote
Super User fourbizz Posted May 9, 2007 Super User Posted May 9, 2007 Oh my mistake! Ryobi are resonable, less expensive. and reliable. Milwaukee 28v is the best. but pricey. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.