What kind of drill should I buy?

[Brian Briggs]

I need to buy a new drill.  I am thinking of buying a corded drill as I have a lot of problems with batteries, either not charged when I need it or batteries that don't hold a charge.  I know that battery ones are more convenient, but........   Any suggestions as to what kind (Brand) to buy? What power is the best? 

[randall carpenter]

I like to use two 18v, cordless when working with the kreg jig, one for the drill bit the other for the screw driver.

[Phil Howard]

If you get the new lithium-ion stuff you can't go wrong. If you want something light weight and portable I'd look at the Makita 18v compact stuff. Awesome batteries, tons of power and 30 minute charge time. Ridgid makes some nice stuff too and has a lifetime warranty which also covers the batteries.

[Dreamcatcher Design & Build]

Brian, I assume you are looking for something to drill your pocket holes. If so, I use and can recommend the Hitachi D10VH 3/8” Drill 6.0 Amp, EVS, Reversible.

http://www.hitachipowertools.com/product/files/drill_fastening/dril...

While I am not a huge Hitachi fan, I got this drill about 8 years ago for $30 and it has been great ever since. Notice the shape, of the drill. It's very ergonomic and lightweight.

For Kreg drilling it works great, although I have always wondered how a good close quarters drill would work as I wouldn't need to pick up the drill so far when drilling many holes.

If anyone uses a close quarters or right angle drill for Kreg drilling please let me know.

While I will sometimes use a cordless drill in a pinch and I second the Makita Li-on set, there are a lot of drawbacks to using a cordless drill on large Kreg projects. First, the weight of a cordless drill will destroy your arm after awhile (especially if you just use the combo hammer drill that comes with most cordless sets... be smart, toss that hammer drill and get a plain cordless drill). Second, the slower speed of cordless creates a rougher hole. Third, the batteries - any batteries - die quite quickly drilling holes. Note: I am only advising using corded for the hole drilling process. As far as driving the screws, I always use the cordless impact driver. It's very light weight, compact, and lasts a long time.

DC

[r reynolds]

corded drill buy milwalke

[Jeffrey Pike]

I have used a wide selction of corded and cordless drills from the most exspensive to the cheapest and out of them all the lithium ion r the best.I suggest U buy the drill that U can afford just remember u get what u pay for. U buy a good cordless drill like milwaukee,makita,dewalt,bocsh,(festool if U have the money).U will get a longer life. If U buy a cheap cordless drill like ryobi,skill, ridgid,craftman. then u r not going to get a long life out of it

[David Dean]

Well us poor boy use a 14.v Black & Decker be it pine oak and ply wood and the best thing it’s on it’s 8 th year.

[Jeffrey Pike]

do U uses the drill every day if so U R one of the lucky ones

David Dean said:

Well us poor boy use a 14.v Black & Decker be it pine oak and ply wood and the best thing it’s on it’s 8 th year.

[David Roberts]

I have a corded for pocket holes and bigger jobs (Dewalt for around 59 bucks), I also just bought a lightweight Bosch 12 V Lithium ($120, Lowes. 2 batteries) for just about everything else. It's small and light. Nice. Combined the cost <200 bucks, which is all you need unless you're working construction jobs everyday.

[Gene Chism]

Brian,
It was suggested to me by someone on Kreg that I should look to a Bosch 36618-2. I purchased it and am happy with the preformance.

[Gene Chism]

In addition to my other comment, any tool with the name Festool on it is top quality.

[David Dean]

Ya I use it in my wood working and my carpentry work as well but for my jig holes I use elec.

Jeffrey Pike said:

do U uses the drill every day if so U R one of the lucky ones

David Dean said:

Well us poor boy use a 14.v Black & Decker be it pine oak and ply wood and the best thing it’s on it’s 8 th year.

[Dreamcatcher Design & Build]

So, were you actually recommending the 14v B&D to the OP?
Some people get lucky with low dollar tools, on the other hand some people are unlucky with high dollar tools.
Since it sounds like the OP has already had a bout of bad luck it may be sensible to recommend a solution that is less of a gamble.


David Dean said:

Ya I use it in my wood working and my carpentry work as well but for my jig holes I use elec.

Jeffrey Pike said:

do U uses the drill every day if so U R one of the lucky ones

David Dean said:

Well us poor boy use a 14.v Black & Decker be it pine oak and ply wood and the best thing it’s on it’s 8 th year.