Replies

1. 
   Manchild | Sep 16, 2003 04:17pm | #1

   Try looking at some of the German drills like metablo.

   I think you are going to have a hard time finding one though.

   If you work with a " L " gripped one you'll get used to it.

   Maybe one with a removable handle would help.

   Some have a handle that screws into the side.

   Look at the rpms also. Some are geared down for more torque

   at the expense of speed.

2. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 16, 2003 04:28pm | #2

   I've used a Craftsman for about 10 years.  It's one of their high-end models.  What a big difference between it and the basic version.  It has ball bearing construction, keyless chuck, bubble level, belt hook.  3/8" VSR with lots of power, and it actually has a cord long enough to use.  It's a very solid drill.

3. 
   bill_1010 | Sep 16, 2003 05:24pm | #3

   Milwuakee Corded drill are probably your best bet.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Sep 16, 2003 05:49pm | #4

   Several years ago I bought the PC pistol grip 3/8" drill.  It has a grip more like a luger than a 6 shooter.  I liked it so much that I bought a 2nd one a few years later.  Both are still going strong.  Very high torque.  Does not have torque control though or keyless chuck.  I've learned to use them without a chuck key.

   However, PC no longer sells this model.  Their repair shop said they would still rebuild them for 10 years.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   corners | Sep 16, 2003 05:55pm | #5

   Drilling in wood requires 2000 or more rpm - many drills top out at 1100 -1200 (metalwork drills).  

1. 
   Doc | Sep 16, 2003 07:12pm | #6

   Not sure if I described it correctly, but this is the style I'm looking for.

   View Image

1. 
   ian | Sep 18, 2003 02:32pm | #16

   You might want to check out the Metabo drills.  Whilst they are the pistol style, a couple are designed so that in use you put your hand behind the motor housing and use your ring finger on the trigger. It feels a bit unnatural at first but once you get used to it, the drill is very easy to control.

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 16, 2003 07:52pm | #11

   "Requires" might be a bit of an overstatement.  Also, depends on the type of wood and type of bit used. Many of us use brad-point bits, for which the recommended speed is much lower than twist-drill bits or pilot-point bits.  The brad-point bit speed recommendation (see this link) tops out at 1800 rpm.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Manchild | Sep 16, 2003 07:30pm | #9

   Milwaukee has been making great corded drills for a long time.

   Although I'm not fond of the detachable cord they came out with.

   I'd Find one at a good price and put a longgggg cord on it.

   I go to the harware store and make my own as long as I want.

   Like there sawzall.

4. 
   forestgirl | Sep 16, 2003 07:23pm | #7

   Tooldoc asked a similar question back in June.  Here's the discussion:
   http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-knots&msg=12622.1

   Also, mentioned in the above thread (by moi) is a review done in Woodworker's Journal on corded drills.  I'll find the issue number. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   ToolDoc | Sep 17, 2003 07:07am | #15

   Jamie: Yup I bought a Milwaukee after checking the pack,it was a tough decission cause there is a lot of nice drills out there in the market these days..the porter Cable,Hitachi,Bosch, were all in the runnig,the only one I would not consider was the dewalts cause me & dewally Don't see eye to eye had too many problems with there tools over the years my own & the ones in the shop at work..as a matter of fact we got screwed soo many times that we got rid of all Dewalt power tools & bought Milwaukee.. it was the best move we ever made.. we have 12 mechanics who use em 24/7 and yes we get them broke but our sales/service people have never ever left us stranded..soo is Milwaukee the Best..hmm maybe not but atleast we have a dependable tool we can count on..

   WE just bought all new 14 volt cordless drill/drivers & we love em each guy has his own drill & charger & 2 battries & yup there Milwaukee.. also use 14  Volt cordless Hammer drills there a blessing too.. We use Milwaukee Super Sawzalls, circular saws, Jig Saws, Portable Band Saws, Routers, sanders,Grinders,  not a gripe from any mechanics  about either.. were just a bunch of happy Milwaukee users.. Hey maybe I can get em to do a commercial bout us,we can pose with the Milwaukee girls..<G>.. then again maybe not!!

   EDIT! Forgot to mention all our corded Drills 3/8"  1/2" & hammer Drills "The Big Ones" are Milwaukee to  even the shop vacs are Milwaukee

                                                                   ToolDoc

   Proud Member of the Delta & Klein Tradesman Club & Milwaukee HD Club & Knots Bad Boys & Girls Club..

   Edited 9/17/2003 12:10:36 AM ET by TOOLDOC

5. 
   jc21 | Sep 16, 2003 07:26pm | #8

   If you're set on a T handle corded drill, there's not a whole lot to chose from that's worthwhile imho- Skil and B&D do make them but over the long haul, I don't believe you'd be happy with them. If you can live with a non T handle drill, check out Tool Crib/Amazon's recon tools and the Milwaukee 0233-80. Keyless chuck, 0-2800rpms, new factory tool warranty, free shipping, and plenty of power. $69.99

6. 
   forestgirl | Sep 16, 2003 07:38pm | #10

   Found it, it was August 2003, so it just went off the stands.  It was in their "Shop Test" section, and of the 10 drills they tested, only two had the T-grip:  Ryobi D45C and Craftsman 27994.  The author considered the Ryobi to be fairly well-made, but more of a starter tool.

   The Craftsman seemed to do well.  It's a 2-speed drill (0-400 rpm, 0-1,400 rpm), with lower amps (5.5) than the big guys, but that wasn't a problem unless he really "leaned" on the drill.  Tested it with a Forstner bit in oak and pine, and a 4" hole saw.  Comes with an auxiliary side handle.

   Of all the drills, the Milwaukee 0202-20 was a runaway winner.  That may be what TD went with, can't remember.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

7. 
   RoyinMD | Sep 16, 2003 07:57pm | #12

   Doc,

   I have had two Craftsmen for years, the oldest is about 25 years old and still works good. The only reason I have two is the oldest one has seen its better days. It fell off the step ladder a few (alright, alright, MANY) times while I was building my dormer.

   Enjoy, Roy

8. 
   EdHarrow | Sep 16, 2003 09:25pm | #13

   Well, if you decide to go with Milwaukee, don't say that I didn't warn you...

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=13760.1

   Now, it so happens that I, too, have an even older Craftsman unit, just like what you seem to want.  It's 3/8, pistol grip, variable speed, etc.  This is a Craftsman Commercial unit, and it's lived a much tougher life than my Milwaukee and, except for a whacky trigger, it still runs OK.  Maybe you can find one on ebay?

   Ed

1. 
   corners | Sep 17, 2003 05:46am | #14

   Some of the drill type/wood combinations shown on the chart show speeds in excess of 2000 rpm.  I use a pneumatic drill at about 10,000 rpm with 1/16th bits - works great. 

   Another example is the Kreg company that insists on 2000 rpm with their step drill.

   Machinists commonly use the formula - 4 x cutting speed / diameter

   Cutting speeds for various materials are listed in technical literature such as "The Machinery Handbook"  

   The cutting speed for mild steel is 100 and I use this for hardwood with success.

   So for a 1/4 inch bit - 4 x 100 / .25 = 1600 rpm.

   For softwoods I would use a cutting speed of 200 and a speed of about 3000 rpm.

   The above with twist drills - Brad points a bit slower but my utility brad points work best at full speed whereas my good brads do need a little less.  

   But the point I was making is that drills with top speeds of 1000 - 1200 rpm are not really suitable for woodworking - if someone is looking for advise on buying a drill for woodworking they should head for the drills with 2000 plus rpm available.  

9. 
   EdHarrow | Sep 18, 2003 03:51pm | #17

   Doc, when you have a minute (and make it later as I'm not sure when I'll get to finish) you might want to check out my newest Milwaukee topic - I've got some weather-related issues to deel with first.  ;-)