Review of Craftsman 11834 12-volt 3/8" Cordless Drill/Driver (reviews, deal, used)

[reviewer]

Craftsman 11834 12-volt 3/8" Cordless Drill/Driver

Rating: 4 out of 5

• Currently 4.0/5.0

The Craftsman 11834 12-volt 3/8" Cordless Drill/Driver was my first introduction to finding the right drill for the job. I'd only ever previously used drills at work - powerful DeWalt drills that could handle just about anything. So it was a bit of a surprise to me when I got this Craftsman that it couldn't do everything. That being said, this 12-volt drill is still pretty solid.

Craftsman is a good brand, so it is no surprise to me that this drill is still going strong after owning it for several years. It came with an extra battery, double-sided chucks, plenty of bit, a case and a charger. For $50, it was a steal. As it is 12-volts, however, don't look to use it on anything heavier than wood or drywall. I tried to use it to mount something on brick and it just did not work, even after I adjusted the torque. It also feels surprisingly light when you are using it, weighing in at just over 9 pounds when the battery is mounted on it.

One thing I have found (and others have complained about) is the battery life of this unit. Though you have 2 batteries, each one only lasts about 20 minutes of constant use. This isn't a big deal for someone who uses it intermittently like I do, but for a big job like drywalling and the like you're going to constantly be switching and charging batteries.

Overall, I give this drill 4 out of 5 stars. It performs well for a 12-volt drill, but the low battery life will be a problem for those that want to use it on a job site or for a remodeling job at home. If you just need a drill to have around the house for odd jobs, however, this is your drill.

Review by professional reviewer, Dec. 8, 2010