Portable Power Drill

SkyRider

Banned
Mar 31, 2009
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Ok, I decided it is time to get a PORTABLE power drill because it is not always feasible to use a 100 foot power cord. I had a Black and Decker several years ago but it was somewhat weak and the battery drained much too quickly.

So, what portable power drills should I buy?
 

fmahovalich

Active member
Aug 21, 2009
7,255
16
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Easy

Get highest Amperage...

And two batteries....

Use one..charge the other...


They are wonderful!!!
 

serviceman

Member
Jul 17, 2008
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DeWalt or Makita are always a safe bet, Hitachi can be good too. I you have the money and you want something that'll take a beating and last forever, go with Milwaukee.

A quick google search of cordless drill reviews will yield loads of info.

fmahovalich's advice is good as well, two batteries are better, look for Lithium Ion rather than NiCad batteries, they are lighter and hold more charge.

If you think you night be drilling into concrete, think about a hammer drill. You can turn off the hammering option, making it act like a normal drill, but if you're going into concrete, you'll be glad you have a hammer drill.

And don't call it a portable drill, unless it's a drill press, it's portable, you're looking for a cordless drill ;)

I'm envious BTW, I haven't had a good excuse to buy a new tool in ages.
 

SkyRider

Banned
Mar 31, 2009
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DeWalt or Makita are always a safe bet, Hitachi can be good too. I you have the money and you want something that'll take a beating and last forever, go with Milwaukee.

A quick google search of cordless drill reviews will yield loads of info.

fmahovalich's advice is good as well, two batteries are better, look for Lithium Ion rather than NiCad batteries, they are lighter and hold more charge.

If you think you night be drilling into concrete, think about a hammer drill. You can turn off the hammering option, making it act like a normal drill, but if you're going into concrete, you'll be glad you have a hammer drill.

And don't call it a portable drill, unless it's a drill press, it's portable, you're looking for a cordless drill ;)

I'm envious BTW, I haven't had a good excuse to buy a new tool in ages.
One of my co-workers has a DeWalt that his still living 75 year old father handed over to him. That beast must be 50 years old and still works fine but it is corded.

My 30 year old corded Black and Decker still works fine but it is a hassle when I want to do some work outdoors. BTW Is Makita owned by the retired Black Hawk hockey player Stan Mikita?
 

SweetSerenity

Happily Retired
Aug 29, 2009
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SweetSerenity

Happily Retired
Aug 29, 2009
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Wait, you mean they still make drills with a cord?
Yes, they make them for the people who still do not believe that a cordless is as reliable.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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Homo Depot has a 20% rigid power tool sale going on now. They are decent tools for the money and the kicker is, they have free lifetime battery replacement!!!

I have all dewalt (in 12 14 and 18 volts) but unless you're using it 8 hrs a day, every day, you don't need the "best". Second or third best will do for occasional yet hard, use.

I had a dewalt effin around drill that I used constantly for 15 yrs and the batteries finally gave up the ghost. The crazy part is, the cost to replace the batteries is more than a new drill kit with 2 batteries.....

With the new li-ion kits, they are exponentially more than ni-cads ......(and the memory problem (at least with dewalt) with ni-cads has been taken care of)
 

tboy

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Aug 18, 2001
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Hey tboy, is it true that women go crazy over a man with an 18 volt deWalt cordless drill;)?
lol not in my case.....though one did say that I looked like a stripper she once saw when I had my toolbelt, cutoffs, work boots, wife beater, and drill stuck in the belt.......(offerred to do a little dance for her but she declined)
 

Bill the Pirate

powdermaniac
Nov 26, 2002
818
2
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one day I dropped my black and decker cordless drill and broke the base. Stuck I went to the closest store which happened to be a Canadian tire where I bought for a ridiculously low amount one of their "jobmate drills" It worked fine was every bit as good as my B & D but not quite balanced as well.

It worked fine for almost a year untill it would no longer take a charge so I took it back to Canadian Tire. The lady looked at my receipt and told me to go get another off the shelf.

there were none, so she offered me a complete refund so I could by the new B & D which just happened to be on sale.

Now I have the latest B&d and a $20.00 refund from CTC.


how cool is that.
 
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tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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Good job skiier, but I was at a buddy's dad's place and he had a jobmate POS. After about 2 minutes of using it I was ready to toss it into the lake.....

There's a reason they sell for 30 dollars lol.....

It is my learned opinion that if you want a drill to last for 20 yrs, you spend a little more (not a lot more, just a little) or you can replace it every year.

As I said, for occasional use a 12 volt dewalt will do most homeowners just fine. I mean, I've driven 3" wood screws into decking with mine. But you wouldn't want to do that all day. For most homework, the 12 is fine.

If one wants the best of both worlds you can buy a rigid drill driver combo for around $150.00. You get hammer drill (I believe) and their impact driver two batteries and a charger. I even think the charger is a 2 battery charger.
 

tboy

resident smartass
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But, is a B&D considered "professional grade"? Thought it was just for the home handyman?
the orange B & D is for apartment dwellers, DeWalt replaced the B & D grey professional grade years ago.

The orange ones are toys, plain and simple. They are for people who don't know any better.
 

Lou Siffer

Evil Prick
Nov 15, 2007
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Homo Depot has a 20% rigid power tool sale going on now. They are decent tools for the money and the kicker is, they have free lifetime battery replacement!!!

I have all dewalt (in 12 14 and 18 volts) but unless you're using it 8 hrs a day, every day, you don't need the "best". Second or third best will do for occasional yet hard, use.

I had a dewalt effin around drill that I used constantly for 15 yrs and the batteries finally gave up the ghost. The crazy part is, the cost to replace the batteries is more than a new drill kit with 2 batteries.....

With the new li-ion kits, they are exponentially more than ni-cads ......(and the memory problem (at least with dewalt) with ni-cads has been taken care of)
Homo Depot? Intentional or a Freudian slip?

I have a few Rigid tools (and one not so rigid, but thats another thread). The Rigid stuff has been great for me. I do quite a bit more work than an average do-it yourselfer, but not as much as a full time contractor. Most contractors I know use DeWalt.

tboy, I have heard that the DeWalt tools sold in Homo Depot are not exactly the same models that contractors buy from other sources. Any knowledge of that?
 

Lou Siffer

Evil Prick
Nov 15, 2007
1,785
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If one wants the best of both worlds you can buy a rigid drill driver combo for around $150.00. You get hammer drill (I believe) and their impact driver two batteries and a charger. I even think the charger is a 2 battery charger.
I think you're right but be careful with this combo pack. I looked at it today and the impact driver isn't the same one that they sell separately. They don't show any specs for the impact driver on the box, so I don't know what its like.
 
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