Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Which brand cordless drill?

We use 14.4 dewalts with the 3 speed gears. Anything bigger is just a waste IMO, if you are doing serious drilling, you are better of plugging in a drill. However, if you are just using it for shooting screws, look into the impact drivers. We have 2 of them, and they are much lighter and more compact than drills, plus have much more torque. Awesome for doing ductwork. These are starting to become popular in my area.


Andy Morgan

Riverside Mechanical, LLC

Comments

  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,320
    My 12-year old Ryobi battery died.

    The charger, case and drill work perfectly. I love the power, keyless chuck and ergonomics. I also see no one has a replacement battery for under 50-scoots!

    It's a 14.4 volt job and I hate to have to buy a replacement without any clue. Now that I'm almost retired, I don't anything killer-duty. I am conviced someone somewhere has a new model 1400655 Ryobi replacement battery somehwere for the "right" price of 25-35 bucks. If I am wrong, what's the best around 100-dollar Johnny-homeowner model out there?

    I would rather pay 50 for a new OEM battery than 100 for some of the junk I see at Homer's
  • Cary Alon
    Cary Alon Member Posts: 22
    New drill

    You can buy a new Ryobi drill at Home Depot - they carry a whole line that uses the same battery and charger.

    If you just want a new battery, try eBay, or search rebuild NiCD battery on Google. There are plenty of companies that will rebuild yours...

    I'd probably just buy a new drill for the money. If you replace the battery, cances are something else will break soon - it's 12 years old, after all.

    Cary
  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,320
    Did all that

    which is why I came here. What's in favor? What's out?
  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    the cost of power

    I don't know ,.$50 sounds cheap to me.. I am paying just under $100 for 18v Milwalkee power packs. I run a lot of18 v Milwalkee tools for the ease and convience of extra batteries.I also have the three gang speed charger to keep things going.As well the radio to hear the ball games..Funny? .Always seem to be installing boilers and watching the World Series.....Have the Milwalkee 18v tv too :)

    I still have new in package 9v waiting for a lucky person
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,883
    Ken

    I've been buying DeWalt and had good luck with them.

    I bought one of those Ryobi kits about two years ago and the batteries dont hold up. Check them, they are not NiCad and won't hold the charge long enough.

    Buy good stuff and it stays around longer.

    Scott

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • jackchips_2
    jackchips_2 Member Posts: 1,337
    I have

    an 18 Volt Craftsman but got it as a gift and don't know the cost. It's rare for Sears not to be selling these as deals.

    It would not hold a charge for beans until I read the darn instructions and had to leave it on for 8 hours if it ran down to nothing-duh!

    It's been fine since but I don't use it that often.

    Jack



  • My all-time favorite is Makita model 6095. Only 9.6V but perfectly balanced and extremely well-built. Discontinued a few years ago but new batteries are easy to still easy to find and they're pretty common on ebay. I have two of them plus an 18V Milwaukee. Really prefer the Makitas and only use the Milwaukee for drilling larger holes. The Makitas have no problem driving monster screws into construction lumber but you must (of course) pre-drill in decent wood. I've gone through three 3/8" so-called "heavy duty" corded drills (Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita) during the lifetime of the older Makita and it still works perfectly.
  • I agree with

    > I've been buying DeWalt and had good luck with

    > them.

    >

    > I bought one of those Ryobi kits about

    > two years ago and the batteries dont hold up.

    > Check them, they are not NiCad and won't hold the

    > charge long enough.

    >

    > Buy good stuff and it

    > stays around longer.

    >

    > Scott

    >

    > _A

    > HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

    > 237&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

    > Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

    > "Find A Professional"_/A_



  • realolman
    realolman Member Posts: 513
    Dewalt and milwaukee

    We been using 1/2" DeWalts at work for years. everybody likes them. 3 speed transmission... hammer drill... variable clutch. I don't see how you could beat em.

    I have a Milwaukee 1/2" at home. I like it a lot too. It's a little hard to get the battery on and off, but the batteries seem to last forever and hold a charge just about forever.
  • I agree with Scott

    The company bought me a refurbished Dewalt 18 volt , 1/2 inch chuck a few years ago . The thing fell off boilers more times than I can count and it still holds a screw bit and hole saws perfectly straight . The batteries last a good long time .
  • John Starcher_4
    John Starcher_4 Member Posts: 794
    I'm in....

    ...the Dewalt camp, Ken.

    My 14.4 3-speed regular/hammer drill has worked wonderfully for me.

    Starch


  • I love the milwaukee with the reversable battery. Great for getting inside joist bays and the like.

    Like others have said, they hold a charge forever, I have the 18v hammer drill version and couldnt be happier

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Maine Ken
    Maine Ken Member Posts: 531


    $50??? For $95 you can get the drill, charger, two batteries, light and a case!!!! I have three drills, three lights three cases and only three functioning batteries.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,518
    Yellow and Black.........................

    Dewalt. We have beat the (*&*&()&()*09 out of them and they keep going for last 6 years. Mad Dog

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,980
    I too,

    Love my DeWalt 14.4 EXP. It's definately not a homeowner model, as it is hefty in weight, but boy does it drive stuff well. A bit more pricy than the run of the mill models and worth it for extended use.

    I also have a Craftsman 16.6V one that I used for years. Once the DeWalt showed up, it became the home savior.(I don't think they even make them anymore,but it's still got a lot of life left after 5 years!) Chris
  • jeff_25
    jeff_25 Member Posts: 110


    > The charger, case and drill work perfectly. I

    > love the power, keyless chuck and ergonomics. I

    > also see no one has a replacement battery for

    > under 50-scoots!

    >

    > It's a 14.4 volt job and I

    > hate to have to buy a replacement without any

    > clue. Now that I'm almost retired, I don't

    > anything killer-duty. I am conviced someone

    > somewhere has a new model 1400655 Ryobi

    > replacement battery somehwere for the "right"

    > price of 25-35 bucks. If I am wrong, what's the

    > best around 100-dollar Johnny-homeowner model out

    > there?

    >

    > I would rather pay 50 for a new OEM

    > battery than 100 for some of the junk I see at

    > Homer's



  • jeff_25
    jeff_25 Member Posts: 110
    battery

    go to batterys plus they might be able to rebuild your battery jeff
  • BillW@honeywell
    BillW@honeywell Member Posts: 1,099
    Idon't use mine as much as you guys do...

    but my Craftsman never has let me down, even when running 3" long x 1/4" machine screws at 24 per window x 20 windows on the railroad car. Batteries got a bit warm, but no big deal. They don't make the model I have anymore, the replacement is more powerful.
  • had Milwaukee

    Had Milwaukee all my life, love the way they handle but hate the craploa batteries, a b**** to get the batteries on and off...
    My first milwaukee batteries lasted 12.5 years and my 18 volts, can't get them to last more than 14 months...
  • JB_8
    JB_8 Member Posts: 85
    drills

    Makita BH1220 12Volt impact drill driver. Very light
  • Wayco Wayne_2
    Wayco Wayne_2 Member Posts: 2,479
    I had

    a Miakita cordless impact wrench for years and loved it. Misplaced it a year back and bought a Dewalt cordless impact wrench. I think it's 12 volt. More power, like it better. WW

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    been considering the Ridgid ....

    they look durable and seem to work fine for the electricians ...:)
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,162
    panasonic

    Panasonic 1/4 impact had for 2 years excellentstill crankes in 7/16 x 3 lags and 1/2 keyless with 14 volt batteries drills out 2 9/16 hole saws for side wall termation kit alot more money then HO stuff .I personally cannot buy any product that i see or hear the depo or chain strip mall shops carries against my religion pagan peace and good luck clammy

    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating

  • Big Ed
    Big Ed Member Posts: 1,117
    Difference in Dealers

    I notice a difference in quailty between a tool store and Home-de-pot.... I always perfered to buy my tools from a local tool store or Grainger.. I once wiped out my right angle and needed one the next morning and the tool store was closed...So the night before I picked up one at Homedepot . The whole thing was plastic.. Well I used it just to bring it back for return after I was done.. My tool guy told me the manufacture builds them to meet Homedepots price.. More like for their profit. It was not far off from my tool guys price and he also gives me free T shirts... Grainger is little higher but has great service which I understand and appreciate..
  • Dick
    Dick Member Posts: 12
    Hilti

    We used to use all the brands that have been talked about, but made the switch to Hilti SF-150 then the SF-151 over 5 years ago. The drills really hold up from the abuse that my sheetmetal and plumbers dish out to them. I usually buy them by the 6 pack for a better price.
  • Leo G_99
    Leo G_99 Member Posts: 223
    Nothing

    better then a Bosch!

    Leo G
  • Ken_40
    Ken_40 Member Posts: 1,320
    This just in!

    An ebay vendor has brandy new replacement batteries for my drill at 19-bucks + S&H.

    The exact match/model is still being questioned and I have written a response to the vendor's quiry about what EXACT model I need, and I assume this may be a done deal.

    No one preferred the Ryobi I have over the DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Rigid or Hilti. If my sorce goes bad, I'll scope out all the brands with your input in mind. Of some concern, each maker makes johnny HO models - as well as deadly serious pro models. The cheapest at 30 bucks, the high end over 400.

    Since my "retirement" 8 months ago,my needs are more johnny HO than pro. Nonetheless, I appreciate all your inoput and thank you all for your insights and suggestions.

    Thanks to you all!
  • Steve L.
    Steve L. Member Posts: 35


    Last year I purchased a DeWalt 18 volt drill at Home Depot. I must say that I have abused that drill and it still seems fine. It will drill a 2 9/16 hole ! (caution should be taken if you try this)
  • realolman
    realolman Member Posts: 513



    Don't get me wrong, you ain't gettin the Dewalt or Milwaukee for 50 bucks... probably over 200, but again:

    3 speed transmission, hammer drill, adjustable clutch 1/2 " chuck... spring for it... you'll like it.
  • realolman
    realolman Member Posts: 513


    It's nice how the Milwaukee batteries reverse and all, and mine lasted a long time, but you'd have to have the hands of an NBA player to get them on and off easily... about 10" fingers

    I still like it though
  • realolman
    realolman Member Posts: 513


    That's something how everybody gets fired up over a drill!

    I guess if you use something a lot and it works well you appreciate it, and want to recommend it to others.

    Most things are better at aggravating the hell outta you.
  • Jeff Elston
    Jeff Elston Member Posts: 289
    Makita

    I have a Makita 18 volt XLT lithium-ion I am very happy and it is very light the battery last a very long time

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Empire_2
    Empire_2 Member Posts: 2,340
    They're all just junk....;-)

    Ya know,... I have dropped most of the cordless drills mentioned her from a 4 story building, and,.,.,.;-) they all seem to break!!! Yea,.The same building unfortunately......;-) No!!! I do not have children.....:-)

    Thought I'd lighten it up a bit......;-) Sorry, but it's almost Friday!!!!! I do like the Milwaukee 18 v.

    Mike T.

  • Seattle Nick
    Seattle Nick Member Posts: 64
    MAD DOG!

    What!
    You MUST have the US made ones if I know my man. I think the current ones are from Mexico:

    2002-11-20 03:36PST (06:36EST) (11:36GMT)
    _Yahoo!_/_AP_
    Black & Decker Cutting 1300 Jobs
    "Most of the Maryland jobs will move to Mexico, others will shift to Brazil & Fayetteville, NC. The Towson, MD-based company's lay-offs could begin as early as January. The plant has 750 full-time employees & 550 contract workers. It produces the company's DeWalt tools & has been in operation since 1974... The company employs about 1150 at its head-quarters & about 250 workers at a plant in Hampstead. About half of the tool-maker's nearly 23K employees world-wide are based in the US... The company announced in January that it would spend $190M to restructure & move manufacturing from higher-cost plants in the US & UK to lower-cost facilities in Mexico, Red China & the Czech Republic, & announced plans to cut 2400 jobs."

    I think the Makitas are at least assembled in Georgia :0

    And some of the Milwaukees are at least labelled "Brookfield Wisconsin" Probably just the offices......

    Iknow, I know, global marketplace etc. etc.
  • Gordy
    Gordy Member Posts: 9,546
    Panasonics

    Love them, Who would have thought they could make a good cordless drill. I like the way the battery lasts. No slow loss of power when its drained thats it. They are pricey.

    Gordy
  • Bill Jirik,
    Bill Jirik, Member Posts: 54
    THEY ALL WORK THE SAME WHEN STOLEN OR LOST

    Sometimes tools become a disposable commodity, i.e. they get lost, damaged or stolen, one thing about the cheaper brands is that it doesn't hurt so bad when this happens, besides a tool is just that, a tool, it is the skill behind the tool that counts. Those who worked this trade long before us did some remarkable projects with a minimum of high tech gadgets and tools, they relied on knowledge and skill not some super duty 18 volt cordless widget, invest your money in knowledge i.e. seminars, books and training now thats real value.
  • Sbergerson
    Sbergerson Member Posts: 7
    Porter Cable or nothing

    I only use Porter Cable power tools, and this is why... When I started in the business 15 years ago, I stupidly bought $30 Black & Decker Drills. They woudl last less than a year and I would have to replace them. I finally spent the $138 on a Porter Cable powered drill. It came with a 3/8" chuck, so I replaced it with a 1/2" chuck from the hardware store.

    I used and abused this drill for almost 10 years. When one of the gears striped out, I called Porter Cable for a replacement gear. The tech told me that the gear was no longer made. I told him that this drill served me well for the past 10 years and how I abused it, and how I would hate to be without it.

    He then asked if I preferred keyed or keyless chucks. I told him I liked the keyed chucks because they were smaller in diameter. He then said, "How about if I send you a brand new drill for the price you would have paid for your replacement gear?" I obviously agreed! That replacement drill is still going strong 10 years later!

    With service like that, I bought Porter Cable cordless products, recip saw, power mitre saw, circular saw, jig saw, etc. I have had NO PROBLEMS with any of them.
This discussion has been closed.