Cordless Drill Opinions?

dorokusai
dorokusai Posts: 25,577
edited May 2011 in The Clubhouse
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&nord=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&ion=1&q=dewalt+dcd775kl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1278083475007230128&sa=X&ei=um_UTYi5IInUgQe91-Au&sqi=2&ved=0CGMQ8wIwAQ&biw=1360&bih=677#

My drill just died and it's my excuse to get another an upgrade at the same time. It's one of my favored brands and it allows me to use all my old batteries to boot.

I know its a loaded question and suggestions will be all over the place. My main questions are Li-Ion vs Ni-Cad as far as power supply, not battery life and Dewalt vs Ryobi, Milwaukee, Skil and the new Makita line. Ryobi advertises that it can use almost every other manufacturers battery which I think is a neat selling point.

I'd like to be able to use my old batteries but if there is a better drill, that's ok. It also comes with two batteries, charger and hard case which I think is nice and would probably say is a requirement on that basis.

Thoughs?
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited May 2011
    I have a Makita. Not sure I can recommend it. It's a lightweight impact drill which I abso-freakin-lutely love, but the batteries are terrible. The charge lasts a long time and they're light weight...but their lifespan doesnt seem to be very long.

    My trusty ol' 19.2V Ni-Cad Craftsman batteries had a longer life span under the same type of use.

    But I've had no direct experience with any other Li-Ion battery powered drills, and mine were used every day from 9-6:30. The average person...I'd imagine the batteries would last a while.

    Having said that, I'm going to buy a combo set...and it'll be Makita with the same batteries. Maybe I'm just hard headed, but I really like their products aside from the battery issues. I got one replaced even though it was out of warranty. I had another die and one of my co-workers threw it away before I could send it back. I'd think its not the battery, but the chip that goes out, but who knows.
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited May 2011
    Makita 18v Lithium is my call.I actually sell these to my industrial customers for their maintenance shops and they love them.I have a set myself and even bought the cordless blower to do my sidewalks after cutting the lawn.All work great.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,271
    edited May 2011
    Staight up DeWalt, I have 12V, 14V, 18V....Have my dads Milwaukee 18 barely used just a couple years old, and one of my guys has Ryobi

    Lithium Ion retain battery voltage, are much lighter as of last years DeWalts the bateries were foward backward compatible, only difference is you can charge a NiCad battery on lithium charger but not lithium on NiCad charger

    But DeWalt all the way
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited May 2011
    I'm not a fan of Dewalt, but I'd go Li-ion all the way.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    I'm a brand name man when it comes to things I need to do my job, that treat me well and don't disappoint me historically. I recently sent 3 Klein Tools screwdrivers back because of one issue or another and they were immediately replaced with brand new ones, no questions asked aside from creating and RMA(WMA) on the phone. They fax or email you the WMA, you simply pack up the tools, send them back and wait for new ones. I had to dig out some temporary ones from my home toolbox to tide me over but the process couldn't have been any simpler.

    Last month I found an old Maglight 4D that the batteries had corroded, bulged and become stuck inside the tube frame to the point I couldn't remove them....after a quick phone call I sent it back, batteries installed and within 2 weeks received a brand new Maglight complete with packaging.

    You just can't go that wrong when you buy a quality tool or torch apparently :smile:
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,271
    edited May 2011
    The DeWalt service center is on the other side of town, we have lauched drills 20' off bldg, stripped, gears, you name it and although some were out of warranty, we just drop them of and they mail it back and I receive them in 2 days and they have never charged me and they even replace the housing most of the time which makes them looking new
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited May 2011
    I have a Li-Ion battery powered screw driver, and I can say it's lighter, strong, and holds a charge. Love it. Dewalt brand thumbs up!

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  • HTaddict
    HTaddict Posts: 13
    edited May 2011
    Ive been remodeling my house for what seems like 4 ever(4 or 5 years) and i have a black and decker FSX extreme 24 volt that i have worked into the ground and back..it has the ni-cad type batteries..holds a charge forever and comes with 2 batteries and a dual charger..Sweet drill with enough balls to break your wrist if your not holding on to it..Highly recommend it..Check some pawn shops around you..you can get some good deals on nice powertools..But if you get anything portercable or milwaukee you cant go wrong..will last for ever
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2011
    I own a Dewalt cordless drill and have had it for years. Love it and would purchase another.
    Michael ;)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    edited May 2011
    This is semi off topic - but I have a black and decker 20 dollar wired drill I got when I was 10 years old...

    I actually snapped the chuck off of it about 3 months ago - reassembled it and it still works. Ive had it smoking, grinding... really the fact it still works to this day is amazing to me.

    Slightly off topic - but I figured I would share a drill story.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    I appreciate the touching story of your drill Trey, thank you....it changed my life and countless others in war torn Pakistan since I posted it in a restroom blog I created in 2007.

    Seriously, you have to love a tool that keeps on kicking after you technically break it.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    edited May 2011
    Yeah man - I was using a 4 foot bit to get to a hard to reach place under the house and it torqued the thing right off. Couple of adjustments later and back in business!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    Yeah man - I was using a 4 foot bit to get to a hard to reach place under the house and it torqued the thing right off. Couple of adjustments later and back in business!

    LOL...that's classic. Thanks for the off topic story man....4ft bit?! W O W....but that sounds like you.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Zeros
    Zeros Posts: 940
    edited May 2011
    I have the Makita 12v drill and impact as well as the Milwaukee M18 series tools drill, impact, sawzall and flashlight). I would recommend either of these depending on what you are looking for, lightweight vs power. If you go the Milwaukee route, look for the new Red lithium line.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    edited May 2011
    Yup! Looks like this -

    http://www.telephoneparts.com/index.cgi?product=Tools/Drill+Bits
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    That's a man's bit for sure.

    I'm leaning towards the Dewalt based on pricing, free shipping from Amazon, past experience, hard case, dual batteries and vintage battery re-use. Is there such thing as a vintage battery? :confused:
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Zeros
    Zeros Posts: 940
    edited May 2011
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    Yup! Looks like this -

    http://www.telephoneparts.com/index.cgi?product=Tools/Drill+Bits

    Those are quite handy for running wires but they suck if you blindly drill and go through something like, say, a hardwood floor. I heard one story from an electrician who used one of those and went right through the wall and into the leg of a dining room chair. Being flexibe and all, they bend easily and can go all over the place.

    Doro, if you want to do a bit of reading about the different brands and their models, check out toolmonger.com. Its a tool blog with all kinds of reviews and posts about new tools.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    Zeros - Thanks for the excellent link.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    I really miss the pistol grip cordless drills that have become extinct and I really dislike all the new Tee handle models. That's why I will repair my old 1/2", 14.4V Milwaukee until I can't get motors or batts. for it anymore.:frown: If I was going to buy a new one I'd be looking at a Panny, yes Panny, they've always had some good driver/drills with really good batts. & charging systems.:wink:


    This outfit has some good real-world reviews of tools:
    http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/


    Panny page:
    http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=1506378
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,809
    edited May 2011
    I don't really use cordless drills but the people I know who do either have the cheap jobs (less than $150) that are all the same no matter what name is on them or they use stuff like that DeWalt you posted. Other popular brands for stuff like that are Rigid and probably names more have never heard of.

    But if you have all the batteries and bits and such from your previous DeWalt then, IMO, it's a no brainer. Get the DeWalt. You really aren't going to see much difference in other drills at the same price point. You don't start getting in to real differences until you're dropping $500 on a drill. But then you are getting in to specific stuff as well and not a jack-of-all-trades type of deal more people actually need.
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited May 2011
    I like the Ryobi drills. Not real expensive comes with extra batts. last forever and a day. I use mine all the time on the job removing doors,hardware etc. I've used it to break the torqued bolts on my moms wrecked car. Polish my rims with via some attachments. I use the crap out of it and it never gives me any trouble.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    TouchOfEvil wrote: »
    I like the Ryobi drills. Not real expensive comes with extra batts. last forever and a day. I use mine all the time on the job removing doors,hardware etc. I've used it to break the torqued bolts on my moms wrecked car. Polish my rims with via some attachments. I use the crap out of it and it never gives me any trouble.

    I've got a 10" ryobi miter saw that I can't seem to kill, 28 yrs. old and counting!:smile:
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited May 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    I've got a 10" ryobi miter saw that I can't seem to kill, 28 yrs. old and counting!:smile:

    I have the Ryobi 18 volt cordless drill combo, and it should have been dead 5 yrs ago.
    Been through hell, and still a trooper without 1 minutes problem.
    I have the 18v sawzall, 7" skill saw, drill package, and I have never had a single problem from any of it.
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,516
    edited May 2011
    Makita man myself, their color is just so pretty.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited May 2011
    I've had some bad experiences with DeWalt cordless tools, but others I know that use them in home and commercial use have had good luck. I have a DeWalt mitre saw that has held up really well. There are differences in the cordless drills but DeWalt always scores well in the tool comparisons, so go with what you know and like, and if you can reuse your batteries all the better!
    DKG999
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited May 2011
    I noticed when the trades guys were building my house, that they were all using the makita 18v Lithium Ion drills. When asked, they all said it was the best drill they had ever owned. Considering they buy all their own tools, I considered it a pretty high recommendation.

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BDF452HW-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Driver-Drill/dp/B000K6ILDW

    Personally, for cordless I have the Ryobi 18v Lithium Ion tool set. My use is occasional when I don't want to get out the extension cord.

    When doing big jobs, I always end up using a corded drill that I have had for 10 years that just won't die. It's built a 12 X 40 deck, 10 x 20 deck and is still running strong while building a 6 x 8 deck and a 8 x 12 shed. No nails in any of those screws only.

    Scott

    PS After all that I noticed that they have a combo set for the same prices as the drill. Plus it comes with 2 batteries.

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LCT300W-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless/dp/product-description/B000V2BRM2/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi

    Plus it comes with a rebate for a free battery: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/A13Z11aEtUS.pdf
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,047
    edited May 2011
    Mark,
    I have the dewalt dc925. It is a beast and works flawlessly. I also have a ryobi 12v li-ion. I like the ryobi as well, but seem to use my dewalt for all the hard jobs around the house. If my dewalt dies I will definitely get another one; if the ryobi dies, I am not sure I'd replace it. Just some food for thought.
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited May 2011
    you seem sold on the Dewalt, but yesterday I was shopping for tools and saw Amazon has Bosch tools on sale.

    This seems to equal the Dewalt you picked and it's 160.00
    http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-36618-02-18-Volt-Compact-Tough-Batteries/dp/B001GIPG1I/ref=br_lf_m_1000677651_1_3_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=hi&pf_rd_p=1298698462&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000677651&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0C2CER4W345AQD8B9MBQ

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_356126882_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000677651&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=06FA3JDRVJ828ZVMT57T&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1295366802&pf_rd_i=B0020ML6X6
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,007
    edited May 2011
    I bought the Milwakee Lith_ion. It weighs very little tons of power and keeps power till it actually dies. Came with 2 batt. and a 20 min charger. It is nice and light easy on the wrist. My dad used it to build a 3 season room, liked it so much he bought one as did my uncle.
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  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited May 2011
    Ridgid Power Tools. Lifetime warranty, including batteries. I've had them for a year or so and am very happy with them.

    Rigid
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