What is your drill?

[Steven Croney]

I see almost everyone here has a portable drill.

I used to have a Black&Decker 9.x volt.. BLAH..

I am now looking for a new one.

What kind do you guys have?

 

And also, does the drill being 18volt make a difference in the strength and power output that I REALLY need?

[kenny from Sundre]

Since I assume that we are talking about cordless drills, and unless you are using the tool almost every day, my suggestion is to buy a lithium-ion powered tool.  I have a Hitachi DS18DL which I have had for almost 3 years now and it is a very good workhorse drill.  On my last birthday my son bought me a Dremel model 1120 driver, a 7.2V Li-on powered tool and I find myself using it allmost exclusively when I am driving screws up to and including 3". It is small, comfortably fits the hand, and for a small tool is VERY powerful. There are a number of good cordless tools out there, buy one that fits your needs.

[Jens Jensen]

Craftsman corded for drilling and DeWalt impact and drills for screws

[steve kidd]

hi steven, i have a 18 volt DeWalt and 18 and 24 volt Ridgid. the 24 volt is lithium and will also use the 18 volt nicad batteries. i would buy a lithium if you can. i have used the Milwakee lithium and its also a nice drill. the lithiums have a longer run time and weigh less. keep in mind the Ridgid tools are warrantied for life, including the batteries

[Deron Monroe]

I have an 18v Ridgid hammer drill.  I firmly believe for the price, you cannot get a better deal.  If you take the time to send in the registration paperwork, you are covered 100% including batteries for life.  If you find a better tool with that kind of coverage for the same money, buy it.  (you won't)

[Brandon Maxwell]

i have a 18 volt makita BDF452HW lithium ion drill. love the lithium batteries. they hold a charge a lot longer than other batteries. this drill also is compact and light weight so less fatigue if you use it extended periods of time.

[gdatomic]

I use two to build with Kreg.

...a Milwaukie 2500 rpm corded to drill pocket holes.
...a Craftsman 19.2v that I upgraded with Lithium Ion batteries to drive screws

This works great since I need the power and no battery wear down while drilling, but don't need to move much. And driving doesn't wear down the battery but I need to move a lot while building.

I've used the new 12v drivers at work (LI only) and love them. But haven't used them on a Kreg project...yet.

Good luck...

[Steven Croney]

Yeh..

I was leaning towards the Milwaukee M18 1/2 in. 18-Volt Cordless Compact Drill.

That one sounds good.

[Geoff Simpson]

I love the Ridgid equipment, my shop looks like a home depot tool catalogue. 

That said, i've got:

• 18v DeWalt...meh.  Good drill though....all my pocket holes are drilled with this.  Too big and bulky for general fastening of screws.  I use impact drivers for that whenever possible
• 14v Makita drill.  I use this exclusively for pocket joinery as its lightweight and fairly anemic on the power...keeps me from stripping out when screwing things together
• 14v Makita impact driver...meh
• 18v Ridgid impact driver (ooh I lover her...she's got power)
• 12v Ridgid Jobmax Multi (right angle drive/drill/ratchet)  love it

[Deron Monroe]

In addition to my 18 V Ridgid Hammer drill I have:

Ridgid 18 v Li compact drill

Ridgid 18 v Impact Driver (I agree with Geoff, this thing is a monster)

[Dan Thompson]

Makita corded and cordless,  they cost more but you get what you pay for and they survive the rigors of commercial use.  !8 volt is the most versitile from #6 screws to mixing thinset.

[David Dean]

 B&Dcorded for drilling and B&D 14V to drill  screws 8 year's and going.

[Jason Spring]

Craftsman corded drill for drilling and a dewalt 12 volt for driving screws. Thinking about getting one of those compact lithium impact drivers in the near future...