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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Cordless Drills https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1084793331 Message started by Fatboy on May 17^th, 2004, 12:28pm

Title: Cordless Drills
Post by Fatboy on May 17^th, 2004, 12:28pm

Yes I know this gets asked a thousand times.....

...so a slightly different twist....

I'm after a new cordless drill/driver. Requirements are:

Two batteries
Decent amount of power (probably 14v min)
Reasonably light weight
Needed for general DIY projects (recent ones would include new stud walling, plasterboard fixing, wardrobe building etc etc).
Currently using Ferm 24v jobby which is far too heavy and batteries run out way too quickly.

And the twist? I'm going for the Axminster 14v drill driver (around �70) unless anyone can recommend something better for that price or cheaper! (don't really want to pay more than that).

Cheers
FB

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Learner Turner on May 17^th, 2004, 4:22pm

I also have the Ferm 24V drill, and am fairly happy with it except for the fact that the batteries go flat in no time.

Does anyone know where I can get a couple of decent batteries for it, and what make are the best to go for?

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Fatboy on May 17^th, 2004, 4:30pm

Have to say I'm really not that impressed with the Ferm drill. Have used my in-law's B&D 14.4v drill and I swear it has more torque. Much better clutch control too.

Still, for the money I guess the Ferm drill is ok. If only those batteries would last longer (as I understand it has something to do with the current rating - only 1.3 amp for the Ferm - Axminster as mentioned is around 2.4). Anyone more in the know out there???

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Learner Turner on May 17^th, 2004, 4:35pm

My mate has a Dewalt 14 V drill driver which we used recently on a collaborative project, and it lasted FOREVER!. Both my Ferm 24V batteries would have been dead long before the Dewalt's one. In fact, it was still going strong at the end of the job, so |I have no idea how much longer it would have lasted.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 17^th, 2004, 6:12pm

As with most things you pay your money and you get what you pay for.

Run time is not just dependent on the current rating of the battery, more important is the quality of the motor and batteries.

I went out to do a job last week with my 14V De Walt and believe me they do run out of power ;). The customer insisted I used his 24V drill rather than swap the battery, unfortunately I don't remember the make but he got it from one of the sheds.

It was rubbish, terrible control of speed, snapping heads off and at the same time it was a lot less powerful than the 14V DW.

A drill driver will be the most useful power tool you will buy and, unless you are only planning to do the very occasional bit of diy, I would save up and get a branded model a 12V may well be sufficient.

You won't be sorry ;)

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by rabbit_rabbit on May 17^th, 2004, 6:24pm

Spot on Woodsmith - ya get what ya pay for and as for sheds so-called 'power tools' they are a joke, they sort of look the buz but are real rubbish even dangerous. If they are bad in the hands of an expert like you can ya imagine what they are like in the hands of a Duffit It Yaselfer!

Only buy DW myself - mind you I am twitching at the Milwaukee kit...getting some good reports.

Ray

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 17^th, 2004, 6:34pm

Ray I only seem to buy DeWalt now; the fact the batteries are the same through the range and they haven't changed the design means I 've got loads of spare power.

I did have a Makita but they change the battery design as soon as I bought it. �For mains power both Bosch and Makita put crappy short leads on. Where DW put 3M of tough rubber leads, no contest.

I've not tried any Milwaukee tools, they havn't made it to Shropshire yet.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Little_Miss_DIY on May 17^th, 2004, 9:40pm

Quote:

Posted by: woodsmith. I've not tried any Milwaukee tools, they havn't made it to Shropshire yet

It seems we are neighbours, Woodsmith :D

Have you climbed the Wrekin? It's one of my favourite walks with my dog

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 17^th, 2004, 10:06pm

I can see the Wrekin from my office window, next time you climb up, look to the west, and give me a wave. :D

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Fatboy on May 18^th, 2004, 2:59pm

Ok guys (and gals).
Thanks for the replies.
Kinda what I expected - so how would you all class the Axminster stuff?
"Shed" level or better?

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 18^th, 2004, 4:34pm

The problem is you probably won't get any pro buying this drill, so hard to give an opinion. The spec sounds good, but the catalogue describes it as "light trade" which, IMHO puts it in the occasional user category.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Fatboy on May 19^th, 2004, 8:48am

Fair point woodsmith.

Looking around at DW (as this seems to be the brand of choice), I could get something like a DW927K2 for �95.

This is only 12v but seems a reasonable spec for what I'd need it for. Any further comments? Or again, would you pros go for something a little more robust?

Many thanks

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 19^th, 2004, 10:44am

FB I think the DW927K2 is a good choice, it feels quite a bit lighter than the 14V which can be an advantage; not quite as powerful but �40 cheaper.

I'd be very surprised if were to regret buying this drill.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by johnjin on May 19^th, 2004, 1:55pm

Hi
Just saw this on ukworkshop forums and thought it might have a place in this thread.

http://www.conveigh.com/video_library/module_direct.asp?ProgramID=13714&SeriesID=1459&RefID=40006&v=BSTS4538

John

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Dewy on May 19^th, 2004, 5:51pm

The 1st thing I noticed was that it was one of the Bosch blue range which is a lot tougher than the green DIY range.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by supersparky on May 19^th, 2004, 11:25pm

im planning on the dewalt 18v, but also looked at the 24v....and my god its a hard desicion...the 24v appeals like hell!

the good thing about the dewalts is the Huge RPM- great for flying through those joists!

what you guys reckon for a sparkie? 18v? - or 24v?

weight not realy a problem but power...now there is something ;D

18v has more features- ie torq settings, the 24v dosn't have these functions

cheers

ss

btw Milwaukee is great stuff- chippie i know is well impressed with his 12v

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by woodsmith on May 19^th, 2004, 11:39pm

ss I've got an 18V and it will drill through most things no problem. Been using it to drill 25mm holes in oak beams and worked a treat and it's heavy enough especially if I'm up a ladder or drilling above my head.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by big_all on May 20^th, 2004, 12:04am

ive got the dewalt its abriliant bit of kit

brother a plumber discarded dewalt for bosch
when dewalt needed overhaul not because
dewalt couldnt �crack it �it can
but because special offers on bosch cheeper
than loosing drill for 3 weeks
he is perfectly happy with bosch 24v
im �perfectly happy with dewalt18v
i think youll find thier is not much to choose
between them
if you like a direct comparison
a head to head challenge
on sunday when we are doing his decking
if you like i will report back

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by jasonB on May 20^th, 2004, 7:31am

Fatboy

The 927 DeWalt only has a 1.3Ah battery so don't expect it to have they staying power of the 2.0Ah.

I had a go of a Hitachi impact driver the other day, works a bit like an ait wrench and has masses of power. It is very compact and would be ideal for working inside cabinets but you can really only use it with 1/4" hex (snappy) type bits as it has no chuck. Also a bit on the pricy side but it looks real nice.

Jason

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Fatboy on May 20^th, 2004, 8:24am

Doh - too damn much to think about!!

Thanks for all the replies - might just have to wait for fathers day to see what turns up!!!

Also now wondering about that power mitre saw.....

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by jimthejoiner on May 20^th, 2004, 10:40pm

i bought the 14.4 v ryobi HP1442MK2F
cordless two years ago and its still going strong i think it was 69.99 with two batteries and i hour charger .http://www.ryobitools.com/product/product.asp?prodid=220&prodcat=3&toolcat=1

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by supersparky on May 24^th, 2004, 4:54pm

ok so
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=1697

or
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=1455

or neither.....

the attractive thing is the high RPM = faster drilling
and the battery power is good

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by big_all on May 24^th, 2004, 11:49pm

i laid the decking with my brother

neither dewalt 18v or 24v bosch remotly challanged
by 12 by 4inch screws

my bro says volt for volt comparable
24 volt 30% better than 18v

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Dewy on May 24^th, 2004, 11:59pm

I saw a 30volt drill driving 4" screws effortlessly the other night. Unfortunately it was a Nutool one sold on QVC for �90. It showed the difference between that and lower voltage drills though.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by The_Trician on May 25^th, 2004, 12:11am

I know its not the cheapest option but the Dewalt 18 -volter gets my vote every time. It IS a pro tool but I'd still buy one for DIY because of its versatility.
Brick? Wood? Concrete? All no problems. My only gripe is the speed control, which is not as precise as it is on other brands I've used. Oh, the other thing is that its a bit on the heavy side for screwdriving duty.

TT

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by big_all on May 25^th, 2004, 12:13am

the truth is dewy
we where not paying attension �and both drills
kept pulling the screws in head and all
about half an inch [no pilot at all]
they would have kept going but i would
release the trigger when it
begin to throw your hands due to tork

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Dewy on May 25^th, 2004, 12:23am

Thats why torque control is good. You can set it to stop when the required interferance is reached.

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Kesh on May 25^th, 2004, 12:45am

& if you manage to get the torque just so, it saves bothering to countersink the hole ;)

Title: Re: Cordless Drills
Post by Dewy on May 25^th, 2004, 3:38am

Right kesh, especially with the more expensive screws that cut their own thread without needing a pilot drill & have a lip under the countersink that cuts into the wood.
I'd still prefer countersinking & drilling a pilot on hardwood though.