Okay i would have bought a cordless drill buy now but i want to spend my money correctly, as being 16 money can be hard to come by. I want a Milwaukee cordless drill thats not to expensive so should i get the 14.4 volt or 18 volt NiCad drills or buy the compact 18v lithiom ion drill or a V18 fullsize drill. I need a drill immediatly but cant waste money. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!
Replies
16 is good and bad because you are broke, but if you buy the right tool (probably a little more expensive) it will probably last a lifetime. I'm not sure which is the best but look for good battery life and check the weight, it will play a factor after prolonged use. Good luck.
battery operated tools seldom last a lifetime, ergo, I guess they wouldn't pass muster as good tools eh?20 years after I started using them, going through the various mfgrs, sizes, and voltages, now when I look at the batteries I have keep up and replace just to keep em going, I dunno if there was really any advantage . I think I'm up to 12 or so various voltage/mfgrs. If you figure you'll pay 50 0r 60 bucks a battery every 5 or 7 years, (if they ain't obsolete by then) well that adds up to a tad of cash. Somehow, on any job I gotta get out the xtension cords anyway. So why fuss over the newest 56.5V neolithicium way-too-big-to-rest-on-a-ladder-without-falling-over-and-trashing-the-floor model when a 50 or 60 buck corded drill will likely last into yer estate.Anyway, that's just my thoughts....Besides. it's getting to be a PITA to find the places that recycle the batteries.Eric
in Calgary
"it's getting to be a PITA to find the places that recycle the batteries."
On the contrary, it's easier than ever: http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/dropoff/index.php
-Steve
Milwaukee would certainly be a good choice, but it's also one of the most expensive. One of the less expensive brands would probably serve your needs - and leave a few bucks in your pocket for something else.
Many people recommend buying tools "that will last a lifetime", but I'm not one of them. Battery operated tools are somewhat like computers in that the technology changes so rapidly that today's tool becomes obsolete within a few years. My old 9.6v Makita drill was a great tool, but when it finally quit, it made no sense to try to repair it.
Li-Ion tools are taking over the cordless industry but it's just a matter of time until a new battery technology replaces it.
It's almost heresay to say this, but I've had very good luck with Ryobi tools. I used their 14.4v Ni-Cad drills, circular saw, and light for several years and they never let me down. Last Xmas, I got the 18v Li-Ion combo and passed the 14.4v tools on to my SIL. I'm very impressed with the new stuff although the drill's tendency to loosen the chuck when the brake engages is somewhat annoying.
Dave45 has a good point. The batteries are what cost in a cordless tool, and battery technology is changing faster than anything else in the tool world. The batteries will not last a lifetime, though they can vary a lot in how long they do last, and how you treat them will make a difference. A cheap way to get a good tool might be to buy one used, and have the batteries rebuilt.But be careful: typically the price of two batteries alone is about the same as two batteries with the drill, if you buy from the original vendor.
Edited 6/1/2008 9:50 am by AlanWS
Alan -
"A cheap way to get a good tool might be to buy one used,..."
I really wish that you hadn't said that. I'm building a houseful of cabinets for a young couple and he is really interested in how they're built, the tools needed, and how to best use them. Every time I go there, we spend at least a half hour where I show him how to do something.
A couple of weeks ago, he proudly showed me his brand new Milwaukee 18v cordless drill. I told him that it was certainly a great drill, but he probably could have gotten something less expensive - or a combo kit with more tools for the same money. He gave me a shid eating grin and said that he got it on e-bay......................for $60!!!
I told him to lock it up or I would be tempted to steal it. - lol
My 2 cents would tell you that you should buy something that will serve you for the next 5-10 years. That's how long cordless tools last with me. A good stationary tool or hand tool can be a lifetime tool, not a tool with batteries.
I am one of the few that don't own a cordless tool and don't want one. My preference is for corded and air tools since they will always work and are a better environmental choice. Not a big deal to pull out extension cords for the hobby. If you plan on entering the building trades then cordless make sense.
The choice is yours. Have fun!
FAQ2 just my opinion, but 18v seems overkill for woodworking. If you're going to build fences or decks OK, but I'd go with the smaller one.
My two bits: Cordless drills are certainly handy. They excel in construction when dragging a power cord around isn't convenient or power isn't available. Cordless tools have other drawbacks. Batteries are expensive and don't last forever. They must also be kept charged - NiCad batteries tend to lose their charge if left for a month or so. LiOn not so much.
In a workshop, however, cordless is more of a luxury than a necessity. In fact, I often use a corded drill to bore holes because thier RPMs are often higher as is the torque. For about $100 you can get a top-of-the-line drill with a 1/2" chuck. Example: http://www.toolbarn.com/product/dewalt/DW235G/. These drills are POWERFUL! A drill like this will last decades, whereas a cordless year might last 5 years before either it dies or the batteries die. New batteries often cost the same as a new tool.
A word on keyed chucks, keyless chucks, and ratcheting chucks: keyed chucks provide the ultimate holding power and when tightened properly with a chuck key, virtually eliminate bit slippage. Keyless chucks have been standard on cordless tools for years. They requre two hands to tighten properly and don't hold as tight as the other two. Ratcheting chucks are tightened with one hand on the chuck. They are very secure, though probably not quite as secure as a keyed chuck. Keyless chucks are a luxury, like cordless tool - not a necessity.
I bought my first cordless drill about four years ago. It was a "Companion" brand from Sears. 14.4V, 3/8" keyless chuck. It cost me all of $40 and I still use it today, though its batteries die quickly and must be charged frequently. If you really want a good cordless drill at a reasonable price, you might have a look at Ryobi.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Thank you all for the replys. I forgot to mention I have a corded Milwaukee 1/2 drill but just needed a more mobile tool. I think Ill get the compact 18V LiOn Milwaukee or put together a bare tool with a battery/charger kit off amazon and make it a V18 Milwaukee. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!
i suggest reconditioned tools. they are cheaper and basically brand new, most reconditioned tools had very small issues usually during the manufacture/assembly, not ware and tear. reconditioned tools also have an extra set of eyes inspecting them as well.
i have had nothing but good luck buying rec. tools
i highly recommend the makita 18v drill/impact driver.
Every day is a gift, that's why it's called the present.
Look on ebay for a "Recon." I bought an 18V Bosch with Battery and Case for $123. It is like a brand new tool.
Look Seriously at panasonic there 14 volt L/Ion is a good size for woodwork and not Heavy.
You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
As others have stated, batteries are expensive to replace and don't last forever. Think about what you're planning to use it for. If it will spend most of its life drilling small (under 1/2") holes and driving screws, then you're using a nuclear missle to get rid of an ant hill. Don't buy 18 volts just because 'everyone else' is doing it. Just like the gun-slinger in the old west, the gun should fit your hand easily and have a nice ballance to it. If it has a heavy battery and wants to pull on your wrist, then try another model. Immagine having to lift it off the bench, bring it to a work position and put it down 200 times. Yea, you're strong at 16, but immag9ine having to use it all day, and all of a sudden that arm starts to complain.
SawdustSteve
Hello I bought the V18 LiOn drill/driver hammerdrill because it weighed the same as the other 18volt drills Ive usedand its the new technology also the Milwaukees have a 5 year warranty. It was however a little expensive. Thank You For The Replies!!
An 18V Hammer Drill? Way to listen to all the replies and not waste your money...
Battery drills are like electronics, by the time you buy one, they become obsolete. No sense spending a lot of cash. I was given an elcheapo Ryobi 14.4 kit that also had a flashlight. I've worked them both almost everyday for 10 years. A replacement battery pack is also cheap. I work side by side with folks that have Panasonics, DeWalts and others and I dust them day after day. I would never have believed it without experiencing it. Of course, you can buy a top of the line corded drill for a fraction of a battery drill and it will be much faster and more powerful. I don't mess with a battery drill when screwing down decking or other intensive applications. It's nice to have a clutch and no extension cord, though, especially with smaller screws. I would also pick a model that has a reverse switch right at your finger. The 14.4 models have plenty of power and they are lighter and smaller to get in tight areas.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I know but grizzly didnt have any regular 14.4 or 18 volt drills besides now I can use it to predrill holes in concrete for the fasteners on our future deck. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REPLYS!!!
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled