What Makes a Good Cordless Drill? (cheapest, Home Depot, best, buy)

[AVTechMan]

I am in the market for a new cordless drill. In doing some work at my house it will be very handy to have such a drill that can drill holes through walls, screw down screws and other useful tasks. I already have a complete set of drill, screwdriver and other bits to keep a drill busy.

I am familiar with most of the main brand names of the drills but what makes it for the best value and durability? And does it make a difference whether its 14V or 18?

[f_m]

I would get an 18V lithium ion one if you don't care about the size. Also realize there are two popular types now, the typical drill driver which has a settable clutch and the impact driver which has no clutch. The impact driver will punch screws through wood easily, and also drill holes pretty well, but you have no stopping control. The drill driver with torque settings is good for machine screws so you can stop at the proper time. You can tell the difference using them, since the impact driver has a hammering sound when it encounters resistance, the hammering is the impact motion.

If you don't use them that often, then a NiMH or NiCd battery will cost less, but the battery won't last as long. The voltage gives you more torque for drilling. Pretty much all brands at Home Depot or Lowes are decent, except maybe the cheapest, flimsy plastic ones (i.e. those cheap Black and Decker ones).

[South Range Family]

For many years we have used 18v Dewalt industrial drills at work. We have disassembled entire airplanes with them. Wing fairings, floor boards, and fuel plates have several hundred screws. These are company tools, so they don't get the best care. They have been dropped from taildocks, covered in hydraulic fluid, and used for 3 shifts in a row. The tool room keeps a bank of battery chargers going. I would say the average is two batteries per shift. I'm very happy with the torque, and reliability. Most of us have seen the abuse they take, and have said that we would buy them for home use too.

They are starting to replace them with Bosch drills now. The Bosch is lighter. It doesn't feel as durable. I'm not happy with the torque settings, and the chuck. I have my doubts that they will last very long in our industrial environment.

[swagger]

Not my area, but a friend of mine is a retired contractor and he used Dewalt almost exclusively.

My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[ylisa7]

I would suggest a Dewalt 18volt drill. But don't buy the homeowner one because they don't have any power. We have some older Dewalt 18volt tools that had larger batteries and they have always worked great. A few months ago we bought a new 18volt "compact" Dewalt drill and it was a piece of junk. We had to return it because the batteries didn't hold a charge and it didn't have much power. They actually changed the size of the batteries on the 18volts. Just make sure you get the ones with the larger batteries.

Lisa

[TKramar]

Here's my list of important qualities.

1. Weight.

2. Cost (including costs of spare battery or charger)

3. Must be reversible. If I'm using it as a "screwdriver" I need to be able to take screws OUT as well as put them in.

That being said...I don't own one right now. Mine's corded. But I use my landlord's Ryobi to do work around the trailer park sometimes, it's an 18V, with a keyless chuck.

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by AVTechMan

I am in the market for a new cordless drill. In doing some work at my house it will be very handy to have such a drill that can drill holes through walls, screw down screws and other useful tasks. I already have a complete set of drill, screwdriver and other bits to keep a drill busy.

I am familiar with most of the main brand names of the drills but what makes it for the best value and durability? And does it make a difference whether its 14V or 18?

I have a 14V by Black and Decker. Unless you need to penetrate concrete, a lower powered item will do. I used to get the top of the line product with regard to drills but I find the durability to last no longer than 3-4 years.

For me, now, I look for one that has compatibility with my pre-existing drill bits and attachments. Additionally, since I save the cords, the cords are compatible assuming the same energy requirements.

I have 2 electric screwdrivers and 2 electric drills. My electric screwdrivers are easier to manipulate and use for simple drill bits or even moderately powered usages.

[colorado native]

Get a DeWalt.

[Rickers]

My cordless drill is an old fashoned hand crank drill.

[titaniummd]

This month's issue of Consumer Reports covers cordless drills and Panasonic is at the top of the list.