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? 

[David Dean]

Well it’s been 20 years I was working on a farm three young girls and a wife stayed at home because the girls where to young at the time and the people here well agree what’s going good for some ant going so good for you .

With what my grandfather tote me in his wood shop I started out with a 71/4 D & B circular saw which make’s a table saw and one of theses little black electric drill and worked my way up . So now I have B & D Palm Sander’s electric and batteries power drill even have 10” miter saw as well but do have dewalt and craftsman tools to.

Just make sure that wood working is your thing before you go out and buy $ 200 And $ 300 dollar tools ?
and belive me you dont what me working and your car

Dreamcatcher Design & Build said:

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.

[Dreamcatcher Design & Build]

I assume that woodworking is everyone on this forum's "thing". It sounded to me like the OP was looking for a sure upgrade and by your statement "....it's on it's 8th year" you sounded as surprised as the rest of us that your drill was still kicking.
I suppose if someone is a hobbyist who just uses a Kreg Jig a few times a year but also needs to put a screw in a wall once in a while, then the cordless B&D could be the answer... but then so could a Harbor Freight clearance drill. If someone uses their Kreg Jig on a more regular level, then it may be a better choice to invest in a tool that has a better chance of lasting.
Speaking from a professional level, a remodeler specializing in trim and cabinetry, I tend to stay away from the tools aimed at the DIY crowd, as I assume their engineering standards are reflective of their intended audience. But to each his own, as long as you are happy in your woodworking choices, then that's all that really matters, isn't it?

David Dean said:

Well it’s been 20 years I was working on a farm three young girls and a wife stayed at home because the girls where to young at the time and the people here well agree what’s going good for some ant going so good for you .
With what my grandfather tote me in his wood shop I started out with a 71/4 D & B circular saw which make’s a table saw and one of theses little black electric drill and worked my way up . So now I have B & D Palm Sander’s electric and batteries power drill even have 10” miter saw as well but do have dewalt and craftsman tools to.
Just make sure that wood working is your thing before you go out and buy $ 200 And $ 300 dollar tools ?
and belive me you dont what me working and your car

Dreamcatcher Design & Build said:

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.

[David J. Drahmann]

DeWalt. I have 3 of them.....all 18 volt numbers. The latest I have is an impact drill which is AWESOME. I bought a two-pack at home depot for a little over $200 (US) and it was two drills, a charger and two batteries.

I have a cheapo corded drill that is permanently at my Kreg jig which is attached to a portion of one of my workbenches as well. That one is a Skil that I paid ~ $40 bucks for.

I recommend the DeWalt if you need one. The batteries last a LONG time and go on sale from time to time. The benefit of having the cordless freedom makes the sale for my money.

[Theo Bekkers]

I have a number of cordless drills. My two favourites are a 12V Hilti SF120A and the 15V Hilti SF150A. I've had the 120 for 10 years and the 150 for three or fourThese drills will do anything all day, including brick but not concrete. For concrete I use a rotary hammer drill. I also have a small lightweight Bosch GSR 10.8 V-Li. It gets into tight spaces easily and is the only Li-ion battery drill I have. It is great as the battery never goes flat in storage.

The Hiltis are quite expensive here, the SF150A cost me close to $800.

Theo

[Jerry OBrien]

I had a Ridgid 18v Lithium drill and Bosch 10.8v Lithium. For 99% of my drill use the Bosch filled my needs. I used the 18v for drilling larger than 3/8 holes, pocket holes or when a forester bit was needed. The Bosch only uses hex shanked bits and drivers. It seemed like every time I attempted to use the 18v drill the battery needed charging because it set so long between uses. I sold the 18v and purchased a reconditioned Ryobi electric drill with quick change chuck for $20.00 which I keep plugged in on my work bench. It fills my needs quite well.
I think we have all forgotten how well the 7 and 9 volt drills of yesterday worked. The little Bosch drills holes and drives screws in oak, maple and other hard wood with ease and it is much lighter and easier to use than the big and heavy 18v drills. The battery seems to last forever.

[David Dean]

Thanks Joseph not bad for a DIY tool ha ?

Joseph Murro said:

Count me in the 14v Black & Decker club - its best used on the driving - rough holes while drilling pockets.

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.

[Jens Jensen]

I have DeWalt cordless both drill and impact and I prefer impact for P Screws no fooling around for settings,It is sweet thing

[Gary roofner]

I use a plug in dewalt for drilling and 18v cheap buffalo tool driver set for stop # 2 for pine. Several hundred pocket wholes on single charge.

[Adam Adolph]

I use a dewalt cordless 18v impact driver for driving my screws and I usually us a 18 volt dewalt right angle drill for drilling holes but also use my 18v ryobi to drill hole frome time to time.I do own a b&d corded drill for times when I am going through alot of batteries (mostly when drilling steel). I just feel cordless is easier adn mor convienent. Li-ion is the only way to go. Have 2 li-ion batteries for my dewalts and it is the only way to do poket holes.

[martin johnson]

Festool all the way...great drills and chucks...huge power from brushless motors (no brushes to wear out)...Taunton tested the 15 volt against other 18 volts, and guess what...Festool rocked (brushless 80-90% efficient; brushed 50-60% efficient). The other thing people forget is how much batteries costs...I used to be yellow, but I think they make all of their money on batteries...at least I know that the 2 batteries that come with my Festool are good for at least 3 years...depending on how often you use them...your savings over three years could be substantial by buying right the first time.

[Jody Hall]

Brian
I'm a contractor and use alot of tools and had the same problem and then I tryed Mikita's 18v lithium ion tools they are amazing. They have a 3.0 amp hr battery were most others have 1.5 amp hr battery's
they do not have a memory which is a good thing so the batter does not develop a hot spot if you only use it for 30 min every week or 40hrs a week they also stay charged when you don't use them for a month or if you leave them in your truck and it 10 digrese outside. I liked them so much I bought the large 9 PC set and they often have promos and they sent me 3 more pcs of my choice for free just no extra battery's still a great product. Hope it helps

[Bill Howell]

Brian, I wish someone had the answer to this one. Over my years of working with wood as a hobby I have used all brands and corded and uncorded. I am about ready to head back to corded for the shop for sure. One with a good clutch and reversable veriable speed. Have always found Porter Cable to hold up well and be more resonable in cost for high end drills. My reasons are many. Maybe due to the fact my batteries seem to get less life than I expect and then the cost of replacement is usually greater than the cost of the original price of drill originally. If you do go with battery go with 18volt plus. Lithium Ion will not develope a memory like NiCd or NiMh so by design should last longer but I have not found that to be true in my case. I am sure you will get much discussion on this and research of products will be just as varied. Good Hunting and Good luck. Let me know how it goes. Pastor Bill