Cordless Drills -- Don't Drag That Extension Cord Around
Cordless drills -- love 'em. Probably the biggest advance in tool design in many years -- no need, any longer, to provide the power for the drill by virtue of a lengthy chunk of wire. It's all right there in the handle. And if you elect a lithium-ion battery for your power source, you're going to get a lighter weight, more compact tool with an extended battery run time before charging, a fairly rapid recharge rate, and no problems with battery memory.This Dewalt 12 Volt Cordless Drill is for the bigger jobs requiring multiple (and high) torque speeds -- 22, in this case -- and a variety (3) of bit rotation speeds. The charger will top up the extended run-time batteries in about an hour, and the locking, 1/2" drive will handle just about any standard bit or driver made. The cordless unit, although good-sized, is well-balanced for easy operation during long working periods.
Another 12 volt tool, the Bosche Cordless Drill -- this guy has a state of the art lithium-ion battery to allow you to keep knocking out the work without frequent interruptions to change batteries. The drill is both lightweight and compact, meaning you can operate it for long periods, in confined spaces, and not have to slap on the heating pad in order to work out the kinks in your shoulder and back muscles. 21 clutch options, a hefty 3/8' drive, battery use monitor -- great idea -- 2 speeds, LED work light mounted below the bit collar; includes a spare battery, rapid charger, and carry case.
Now then -- if you want an all-around cordless that will handle just about any task that involves putting holes in something, you should take a look at the Makita Hybrid 4-Function Cordless Drill. Hammer, impact, driver, or drill; handles them all with ease. Attached LED work light, 18 volt, long-run, no-memory batteries, and 45 minute charger with an on-board cooling fan. At about 7 1/2" in length and just shy of 4 pounds, it won't wear you out while it's knocking holes in stuff. Nice.
Cordless drills -- because it gets really old hauling an extension cord around all day.
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Comments page 1 of 2
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Dave said 10-25-2010 @8:19PM
DUH!!!!! When are you fools going to figure out that a battery on your belt with a short cord to a power tool will weigh even less (to hands, arms, and shoulders) than those large, clunky batteries on the cordless drill? Also, you could switch tools easily without changing batteries, too. I have been telling retailers for about 10 years that this is the direction to go, and they always give me a blank stare. Holding an extra couple of pounds over your head or in tight places for extended periods is a great way to get work related stress injuries.
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tradervic said 11-10-2010 @6:10PM
I've tried all these brands, I would stay clear of the Bosche. The most I could get out of a charger is one year before they fry and the guns wear out pretty quick. The other bad thing about Bosche is, most places don't want to deal with warrenty work, like if you live in Maryland, you have to pack up the tool and mail it to New Jersey to have the work done. Dewalt, Makita and Porter Cable seem to do well
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Yannaro said 10-25-2010 @8:04AM
12 volt cordless drills, regardless of the make, are a waste of money. They do not have enough power. Get a 14 volt at the least and, if you get an 18 volt, you will never be disappointed. It's worth the extra money in the long run.
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Charlie said 10-25-2010 @8:23AM
I agree about the voltage. I wonder if the person who wrote this article has ever worked with these drills professionaly ? If you use the drills around the house for drilling holes to put in picture hangers then the 12 volt ones are fine, but if you are a builder or a mechanic leave them on the shelf at Home Depot.
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tradervic said 10-25-2010 @6:15PM
I agree about voltage. If I'm putting up three quarter inch sheathing on eighteen guage studs, I use a 24 volt gun but if I'm pittleing with hardware all day, I've got a 12 volt Porter Cable, made in the US that will just about keep up with an 18 volt Dewalt, just slightly less battery time. I mean, why carry a body building gun for putting door knobs on all day? If you only own one gun and you work construction, it should be at least 18 volt but I think this article only covers 12 volt guns and that's probably OK for Harry Homowner, messin around the house.
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kara said 10-25-2010 @8:24AM
My husband likes makita.
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stvhndyman said 10-25-2010 @9:02AM
Dewalt ? Has anyone priced Dewalt replacement batteries? Outragous--$80 +! I had a Dewalt 18volt-drill/dirver and circular saw with 3 batteries. When it came time to replace the batteries I decided to buy the Porter Cable 18 volt combo pack. And for less than 2 Dewalt batteries I got a cordless "sawsall" and a flashlight (plus the drill/driver and circular saw).
replyI have never been disappointed with Porter Cable products, and their batteries are $35+/-.
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netherberry said 10-25-2010 @9:22AM
Who's doing a "big job" with a 12V? 14V at a minimum or 18V compact is where it's at. None better than a HILTI for getting the job done. And to tradervic's comment... the HILTI comes with 2 year service that even includes the batteries! Just 1 replacement battery will make up the difference in the cost.
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marc said 10-25-2010 @9:27AM
I've been in the construction field a long time and as far as I'm concerned the Dewalt 18 volt is the cordless for any of my needs.It's durable the batteries hold up pretty well and for $280 you get the drill 2 batteries charger and case.they have a battery out now that doesn't run down slowly it keeps power up all the way until it stops which is vey helpful when you have to use the drill for long periods of time.
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Jack Smith said 10-25-2010 @10:09AM
Not even an honorable mention to the Milwauke brand? I've used the
reply14.4 V cordless for years on both small and commercial jobs for years,
and it has never let me down.
Jack
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unknown said 10-25-2010 @10:23AM
I have had an 18volt Milwaukee drill for 8 years that wont die! It's been dropped off of scaffolds and run over by trucks. I'm not one to favor any brand over another, but that drill has made me a lot of money over the years.
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Sarge said 10-25-2010 @10:31AM
Where are my other 3 comments? Is this selective commenting that you control?
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Sarge said 10-25-2010 @10:33AM
That's OK he married you........
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Dean said 10-25-2010 @11:42AM
I have had both the DeWalt and Makita 18 volt drills and the DeWalt is by far the best one.
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Bud Pringle said 10-25-2010 @12:02PM
I have never had a Dewalt stolen from a job site, but have lost several 18 volt Rigid and Millwauke.....that probably says a lot about 12 Volt anything today for construction or all around tools.:)
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jwosr98 said 10-25-2010 @12:08PM
I build stairs and install wood railings for a living and until Makita came out with this new model I could not find one that was up to the task, I haave both the drill driver and the
replyimpact driver and they have all the speed and torque tha I need .
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retool said 10-25-2010 @12:48PM
Unless these drills are made in the USA I will never own one of them!!! I will continue to use my old Craftsman(made in USA)cordless, or my "old" Craftsman cord type. We will continue to do our part in stopping the flow of money "out" of our country!!! Together we CAN buy America back!!!
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Rob said 10-25-2010 @1:05PM
I've had Dewalt 12, 14, and 18 volt models and when they are new they are great but the batteries are terrible and outrageously overpriced--I won't buy them again. Going to try Rigid which supposedly has a lifetime battery warranty--wirth the extra few bucks. Also I would never go less than the 14.4 or 18 volt models. The 12 volts are toys.
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WT said 10-26-2010 @2:42AM
When I worked for Home Depot 7 years ago, they offered the Rigid cordless drill with a lifetime warranty and that included the batteries. I don't know their policy today.
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Jerry Keever said 10-25-2010 @1:58PM
I have an 18 volt Dewalt cordless drill and it surely is a handy tool.
replyThe only thing I find objectionable is the extremely high price of the
replaceable batteries. The damn things cost almost as much as I paid
for the drill itself.
I also have a Dewalt 12 inch cutoff saw that gave me some trouble.
The gears got chewed up after a few years of not too heavy use. I took it
apart and found out the forward bearing, (probably made in China) had half of the balls
missing and moved around when under a load. It cost me about $150 to fix the thing.