Thread: First power tool: a drill?

I've got one of those Ryobi drills and it's great (though I think it might be the 14V version). I even accidentally left it out on the shed roof for a week, in the rain etc., and it just keeps on workin'.

I think I paid about $70 for it at last year's woodworking show. With $150 you should be able to get a drill, a set of twist bits (1-10mm in 0.5 mm steps), a set of bradpoints (3-10mm in 1 mm step). These are what I have and I use them all the time.

I've got a Black and Decker firestorm 14.4v which I reckon is pretty good. It should be around the $150 mark.

2 batts, detachable chuck so that you can have a drill bit in the chuck and a screwdriver bit in behind it at the same time. Rip the chuck off and you can screw straight away. Much, much faster than changing the drill bit each time. See pic below.

I reckin it is a fantastic first drill. Good power and torque, but light enough to use all day. The only downside is the slow drill speed, but that will be the same or worse with any cheap cordless.

I agree that a drill is a good start. I don't use it all the time woodworking, but around the house a drill is essential.

Trav

Originally Posted by Trav

I've got a Black and Decker...

Check out the buck-rogers retro version:



http://www.blackanddecker.com.au/Pro...lid=1&mktid=22

New Lou's just got one, and I would've got one if they had a corded version.

i got 2 bosch drills and they are fantastic! one i have been using for 6years now! i think they go for a little bit over ur budget, but i think its worth it!

I agree with Trav,

I also have the b&d firestorm but I have teh 12V one (hindsight I should have gotten the 14V for the small price diff, but the 12V has plenty of ooomph!)

The removable chuck is the sweetener on this drill. Being able to drill your hole, then wip the chuck and bit off in one swift movement, add the screw then replace the chuck/bit again is a must! Really speeds up everything you do!

Stay away from the b&d "gel" models - they dont have the removable chuck and are a lot cheaper!

i've got a $20 ozito cordless drill which has jackall torque, pathetic battery life and ridiculous charge time, yet it's still by far one of the most useful tools i've ever owned. you're definitely on the right track picking a drill as your first weapon!

if you're going to be using lots of large holesaw/forstner bits, i recommend getting a corded drill or a drill press - these can wear batteries out real fast (you'd need at least 2 batteries to maintain a workflow). i'm getting a drill press to make up for this though

Originally Posted by zenwood

Check out the buck-rogers retro version:



http://www.blackanddecker.com.au/Pro...lid=1&mktid=22

New Lou's just got one, and I would've got one if they had a corded version.

I got one of these retro versions last year just because i liked the look of it
got it out the box to give it a try and didnt like it that much, it only had one battery and was a slow charge if I remember correctly
but then i do have 2 Panasonic corless drills in 15.4 &18 volt as well as a Dewalt 18 Volt hammer drill
So being the type of bloke I am I gave it to a friend of mine who didnt own a corless drill. I usally feel sorry for people who are tool poor.

Either that or im just stupid.

Cheers Ian

gday i buld sheds with a mate he has a 14v black and decker cheepo and in 3 years it has worked like a trooper my cordless is a bosch 12v cost me nearly twice as mutch as the b/d and in only 18 months is on its 3rd chutck and second clutch this drill cost me $210 with only one battery never again will i buy a bosch product i am so cranky with it.

have a good look at the black and decker drills they dont seem to brake to often

shep

Originally Posted by Ian007

So being the type of bloke I am I gave it to a friend of mine who didnt own a corless drill. I usally feel sorry for people who are tool poor.

Ian,

I'll be a poor tool if it means you give ME tools

My AEG Corded drill carked it the other day so I got a Makita corded. $130 came with some drills as well.

Has really great speed range easy to run at low speeds that you would normally use a cordless drill for.

Consider it if you don't have to have the battery. Batteries add a lot to the price and you should ask yourself if you really need cordless.

Studley

Originally Posted by Ian007

I usally feel sorry for people who are tool poor.

Either that or im just stupid.

Cheers Ian

Your not stupid Ian, Your just a kind hearted bloke.

Regards
Trevor

Originally Posted by chylld

if you're going to be using lots of large holesaw/forstner bits,

I'd recommend caution if using holesaw with powerful drill. Busted my wrist when it caught once. Used them very gingerly after that

Originally Posted by Studley 2436

Consider it if you don't have to have the battery. Batteries add a lot to the price and you should ask yourself if you really need cordless.

Studley

Good point studley. A corded drill will generally out-perform a cordless - the key downside being you need to plug it in. Certainly worth thinking about.

I've got a Bosch corded hammer drill and I wouldn't be without it. But I wouldn't be without my firestorm either. Or my little bosch cordless screwdriver.

Trav

Originally Posted by Trav

...Or my little bosch cordless screwdriver. .....Trav

Trav,

WRT the Bosch lithium ion driver, are you able to use it for screws into timber ie pine?

Can you tell me the limitations?

Thanks in advance