Ask The Trades - Cordless Drills

Fatboy

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Cordless Drills
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

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Learner Turner Junior Member Offline If it ain't broke - take it apart to find out why! Posts: 74 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender:	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #1 - 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?
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Fatboy

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #2 - 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???

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Learner Turner Junior Member Offline If it ain't broke - take it apart to find out why! Posts: 74 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender:	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #3 - 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.
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woodsmith

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #4 - 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 Wink

. 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 Wink

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rabbit_rabbit

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #5 - 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

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woodsmith

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #6 - 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.

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« Last Edit: May 17^th, 2004, 6:34pm by woodsmith »

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Little_Miss_DIY Junior Member Offline "Many hands make light work" Posts: 51 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender:	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #7 - 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 Have you climbed the Wrekin? It's one of my favourite walks with my dog
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woodsmith Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Posts: 4395 Total Thanks: 135 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #8 - 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.
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Fatboy Junior Member Offline Just hit the f****** thing Posts: 5 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #9 - 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?
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woodsmith Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Posts: 4395 Total Thanks: 135 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #10 - 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.
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Fatboy Junior Member Offline Just hit the f****** thing Posts: 5 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #11 - 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
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woodsmith Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Posts: 4395 Total Thanks: 135 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #12 - 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.
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johnjin Newbie Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 4 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #13 - 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... John
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Dewy GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #14 - 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.
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supersparky

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #15 - 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 Grin

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

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woodsmith Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Posts: 4395 Total Thanks: 135 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #16 - 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.
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big_all

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #17 - 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

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« Last Edit: May 20^th, 2004, 12:30am by big_all »

big all --------------- we are all still learning

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jasonB

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #18 - 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

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Fatboy Junior Member Offline Just hit the f****** thing Posts: 5 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #19 - 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.....
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jimthejoiner Trade Member Offline Kitchens & Laminate - Don't Ya Just Luv Em?? Posts: 22 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Not Specified	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #20 - 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...
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supersparky Administrator Trade Member Author Offline Posts: 6097 Total Thanks: 3 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Electrician	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #21 - 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
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big_all Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline heeelllooo Posts: 5596 Total Thanks: 10 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #22 - 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
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Dewy GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 10 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #23 - 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.
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The_Trician

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Re: Cordless Drills
Reply #24 - 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

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Thats the trouble with a colostomy - you can never find the shoes to match the bag.......

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big_all Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline heeelllooo Posts: 5596 Total Thanks: 10 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #25 - 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
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Dewy GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 10 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #26 - May 25^th, 2004, 12:23am Thats why torque control is good. You can set it to stop when the required interferance is reached.
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Kesh Trade Member Offline Posts: 321 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Not Specified	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #27 - May 25^th, 2004, 12:45am & if you manage to get the torque just so, it saves bothering to countersink the hole
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Dewy GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Cordless Drills Reply #28 - 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.
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