Thread: Cordless Drill

Originally Posted by HappyHammer

Thanks guys I think I might go for the industrial Ryobi "Pro Series" as $250 is about as much as I can justify for weekend work, I won't be doing anything trade related with it.

HH.

I don't think you'll regret it. I kinda think it would hold it's end up in a tradesman situation too.

HappyHammer,

It boils down to what do you want to do with your new drill,
Mainly screwdriving with the occasional tech screw job?
Heavy drilling in steel?

I've recently gone through the same selection process and had to look at what my needs are and realised I only need it to drill and drive screws into wood, my big electric is for drilling steel etc.

So which model was I sold on?

The Hitachi 14v, Industrial quality, 2 batteries, Torch and it is light.

$229 from EPTS Gasweld

I have a Metabo SBT 12 Plud, be careful as some stores sell a 'lower' spec Metabo drill with 2.0 AMo/H batteries for around $200.00. The drill I use is quite heavy but otherwise okay. If I could choose one drill it would be panasonic, or a makita.

regards tony

I have a panasonic EY6431 15.6volt
It is unreal, got it through work...
Use it round the home, it great having a cordless drill, use it drilling hole in sleeper for the garden, roofing, fencing, lots of grunt. use it with a 2inch hole saw as well.
If you do a lot round the home and not just in the workshop it is worth it..
not having to run a extention lead everywhere, and no matter what you a drilling through ( except hard gazed bricks )

Don

Just to add my meagre 4 cents (would have said pence!) worth...

The manufacturer is (almost) irrelevant - cordless is all about power; hence voltage (as the batteries deliver very similar max current, regarless of their size). So, unless your work is going to be pretty light (small holes, screwdriving) don't buy anything less than a 14V model. I would say that 18V is the go if you can get a good deal.

The manufacturer is (almost) irrelevant - cordless is all about power; hence voltage (as the batteries deliver very similar max current, regarless of their size). So, unless your work is going to be pretty light (small holes, screwdriving) don't buy anything less than a 14V model. I would say that 18V is the go if you can get a good deal.

I find that voltage can be unreliable as a test of a driver's quality. It's not the delivery of power that is the issue, it's what the motor does with it

The torque being delivered out the business end is probably your most accurate indication of quality. The next thing I would look at is battery life, then weight/balance, durability, working comfort(location of switches etc) and relevance to the work being done/value for money. I would also look for a tool that keeps the power right up until the battery is almost flat, and how fast the battery charges. Oh, and warranty =)

For the 'casual' enthusiast, Makita and Panasonic are the names that come up again and again with good things to say.

I have a Dewalt 9.6V. Comes with a 1 hr charger, 2 batteries and carry case. Bought it about 3-4 years ago and still going strong. Torque is pretty good for a 9.6 volt, I have used it recently to drive hex head tek screws whilst cladding a building in corrugated iron.

Aust Wood Reveiw No 25 tested cordless 12V drills. Averaging number of screws driven per battery and cost, the best performers were the AEG and Ryobi. The Panasonic won hands down in battery performance stakes. The Dewalt 906 was a well balanced drill that was good for the benchtop.

I bought a Milwauke 18V drill and it is the best tool I have ever used. I own hitachi, bosch, dewalt, festo, porter-cable and they are great but this drill has no run out, excellent 2.4Ah battery life and is very comfortable to hold.

Whatever you go for get a ONE HANDED Keyless chuck. I have messed around with old style for about ten years and one handed ratchet style chuck is sensational. I would not consider another brand (except AEG & Atlas Copco same tool dif colours) after using this drill.

Shannon

Originally Posted by Shannon Nash

I would not consider another brand (except AEG & Atlas Copco same tool dif colours) after using this drill.

Shannon

Shannon, Does this now include Ryobi as they are now the proud owner of Atlas Copco/AEG/Milwauke

Well I had a Metabo 9.6 volt and was looking for a 10 min charger and was told by the agents that Cash Converters sometimes sold them separately from the drill - long story short I bought an older Dewalt 14 volt (bit like the "Old" B&D dark grey industrial - handle on the end) from someone I know for $130 in box with 2X batteries and charger about 4 years ago - I have just replaced the batteries with after market ones and they are great - I have just bought another later model 14 volt from an electrician who was upgrading to 18 volt for $100 in a box with 2x batteries and a charger.

Both work great and with 4 batteries, 2 chargers and 2 drills I just keep working )

G'Day guys (and ladies),

First post on this site, finally joined up after reading the posts for about a year now!

Got to agree with Shannon in regards to the Milwaukee, it is an excellent drill. I have the 18V with the hammer action. I bought it after it was recommended to me by a friend in the building industry (who had destroyed a couple of other "M" brands (Met...,Mak...) which he destroyed on site fairly rapidly) and although it was v.expensive it is worth every dollar that it cost.

Only problem is that it is quite heavy, guess it will just be my workout from know on!!

Best Regards,

Michael

Welcome Michael and thanks for the contribution.

HH.

My opinion is that the cordless drills are probably the most utilised tools I own, I have 7 from old ryobi 7.2's, makita 7.2/9.6's a yellow branded 14.4 and the king of my collection a very expensive (for me) 14.4v makita 6336dwfe, full metal gearbox, 3.0amp batteries, smooth as silk well balanced and whilst not the easiest on the hip pocket still wholeheartly recommended for anyone who wants a good reliable long term cordless drill for all occasions.
Sure I could have bought the 18v model for around the same money but it didn't fall to hand as nicely have as good balance and generally it seemed to be overkill for my needs.

Just for interest lads, since this has just bubbled back to the surface:

Fine Woodworking Shops Issue has a 3 part article on cordless drills & batteries, and makes some very interesting claims about voltage/amphours & battery life. The article was available on the Taunton web site yesterday.